The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has said the federation will speak out soon regarding fresh allegations of unpaid allowances owed to the Super Falcons between 2021 and 2024.
This comes just as the Super Falcons kicked off their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco. Recall that they secured a 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opening game at the tournament on Sunday, July 6.
In the build-up to the match, prominent UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana reignited controversy over lingering debts owed to the players.
He said the NFF had failed to settle a backlog of allowances ranging between $300 and $1,500 per player, depending on the nature of the engagement.
Also among the outstanding payments is a modest ₦10,000 camp allowance allegedly owed to each player for a home qualifier against Ivory Coast in the 2022 WAFCON campaign.
Bonuses and camp allowances from last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand remain unsettled as well.
The allegations are not new. During the 2023 World Cup, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) publicly criticised the NFF for failing to honour its financial obligations to the team.
In reaction to the criticism, the NFF said the FIFPro’s move is “nothing more than a storm in a teacup,” pledging afterwards to make outstanding payments.
Now, as the Falcons look to secure their 10th continental title, the controversy is once again at the centre of attention.
“NFF president Ibrahim Gusau just saw me in Casablanca and said he needs to be heard on this matter,” Obayiuwana revealed on social media.
The general secretary, Sanusi, had declined comments, saying, “This is a matter between the NFF and the players.”
Gusau backed the NFF’s general secretary for declining to respond when first approached about the claims, according to Punch. Gusau insisted the silence was procedural.
“Mohammed Sanusi, the general secretary, who refused to comment, when I asked him to, is an employee. He works under instructions. If you want to ask anyone, ask me,” Obayiuwana quoted Gusau as saying.
While the Falcons focus on their next fixture against Botswana on Thursday, questions around the federation’s handling of players’ welfare remain unanswered. Hence, football enthusiasts await Gusau’s official response to this development.
The post Gusau Reacts As Unpaid Super Falcons Allowance Claims Resurface appeared first on Naija News.