The victorious Super Falcons on Tuesday revealed that they have seized the trophy they won at the just concluded CAF African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon until the authorities concerned offset the whopping N238.05 million accumulated debt arrears owed to them.
Some of the players claimed the debt the Nigeria Football Federation owed each of the 23 players, excluding the officials, in allowances and match bonuses since the team started camping for the tournament amounted to $25,000 (about N11.25 million).
Although the NFF has pledged to pay the players, they however insisted they will not only remain in their hotel camp in Abuja until NFF and the Federal Government met their demands, they will not also release the trophy until they received alert of the payment, stressing that they can no longer be deceived by the rhetoric by the federation to get back to them.
According one of them: “I don’t want to talk because even you the journalists know the situation on ground more than us.
“All I can tell you is that we are not leaving this hotel until we get alert.
“We are not also releasing the trophy until our demands are met.
“They can no longer continue to deceive us with the excuse of no money all the time.
“The authorities owe each of about $25,000 arrears of match bonuses and allowances.
“It is enough and we are waiting for the Federal Government to intervene in this matter.”
Meanwhile, the NFF has pledged to pay the players and officials all their entitlements for winning the trophy, craving the understanding of the team that the money is not readily available at the moment.
The General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who met with the players and officials on Tuesday, said though the federation is not happy owing players and coaches, the present severe economic challenges demands it only continue to seek the understanding of these persons, as well as hoteliers, travel agents and Management and Staff until the situation improves.
According to Sanusi: “There is no gainsaying that there is severe economic challenges and all organizations, whether government or private, are feeling the pinch.
“It is not Government’s doing; it is not anybody’s doing.
“We know we have financial commitment to you (players and officials of Super Falcons) and we have not at any time stated otherwise.
“But the money is not readily available at the moment.”
