SAN FRANCISCO, December 11, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is working hard to meet up with the payment of the 18-month backlog of bonuses and allowances of the Super Eagles to prevent a strike action ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
THEWILL writes that the players planned to protest last month, ahead of their 2021 AFCON away fixture, which boomeranged after they allowed Sierra Leone back in the game from a 4-0 lead. The match ended 4-4 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
“Our initial plan was to address it before the game in Sierra Leone but we all saw what happened,” one player told BBC Sport Africa, craving anonymity.
“I don’t think they [NFF officials] can keep quiet if they’re unpaid by their bosses. They’re quick to blame the players for defeats but happy to celebrate the success of the team.
“If the players go on strike, they blame us for being money hungry and selfish yet this is money they owe us.
“There are [training] camp allowances and match bonuses not paid to us and the technical crew since July 2019 and that’s not good.”
The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, has since opened up on the issue as he acknowledged the debt to the players and coaching staff saying that they will get paid soon.
“We are working with the government very seriously in assuring that it [money] comes out within the next few weeks,” Pinnick told BBC Sport Africa.
“It’s been tough financially for us and we’ve had to depend on support from our sponsors in the last four matches.
“I personally understand the players should be paid what they are owed because we’ve always ensured prompt payment in the past.
“They’ve shown remarkable professionalism, if they can just bear with us, this is something I am hoping to resolve as soon as possible.”
