The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday said the decision to slash the Super Eagles bonus after their 1-1 draw against Namibia in Windhoek received the blessing of the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi.
NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu who disclosed this also denied that the nation’s football body has been queried by the National Sports Commission (NSC) over the bonus issue of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles.
According to NFF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, the General Secretary stated emphatically that the NFF did not receive any query from the NSC over the matter, clarifying that the Football House informed the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi before taking the decision to slash the team’s bonus and downsize the technical crew.
“We did not receive any query from the National Sports Commission. Before taking the decision to slash the win-bonus and downsize the team’s crew, we briefed the Minister.
“We are shocked like every Nigeria at the attitude of the players. It is incomprehensible because the NFF President and myself sat down with the Management of the Super Eagles, including Coach Stephen Keshi to explain why we had to slash the bonus and other measures taken as a result of our financial constraints.”
Super Eagles’ players shocked the entire nation on Thursday by insisting they would not collect the new $5,000 win-bonus and refused to leave their Country Club Hotel in Windhoek, Namibia for the onward
trip to the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.
Amadu added: “We are most grateful for the Minister for his intervention in the matter, which means the team can now travel to Brazil on Saturday and arrive in Belo Horizonte before the first match
against Tahiti on Monday.”
