NFF calls on CBN to release money allocated to the Super Eagles so it can pay player bonuses

NIGERIAN Football federation (NFF) officials have blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the current delay in the payment of match bonuses to members of the Super Eagles participating in the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Abidjan.

On Saturday, the Eagles qualified for the quarter finals of the tournament after beating Cameroon 2-0 in the Round of 16. However, it appears that the players are yet to be paid all of their owed bonuses and according to team sources, they are still being owed match bonuses and other entitlements despite the federal government’s announcement of a N12.5bn ($13.7m) fund for the campaign and other outstanding issues.

NFF officials have blamed its inability to settle these allowances on the CBN delay in releasing the funds budgeted by the government. Before the start of the tournament, the NFF announced that it would pay each player a win bonus of $5,000 and $2,500 for a draw on top of a daily camp allowance of $200.

However, the federation has only managed to settle the camp allowances accruing from the team’s camping in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some daily allowances. In addition, no team official, including some members of the technical crew have received any allowance due to the CBN’s delay in releasing funds.

One NFF official said the federation has pleaded with sports minister John Owan Enoh, to intervene before the players become restless over the issue. According to the official, the NFF is hoping to avoid the acrimony that has bedevilled past tournaments.

He added: “This NFF board is trying to build a good relationship with the players based on trust and we believe paying them their entitlements when due will help in cementing this relationship. That is why we are worried that the CBN is delaying the release of the money.”