The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed receiving part of the money approved by the Federal Government for participation of some national Teams in international competitions, including the Super Eagles’ participation at the ongoing 32nd Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
NFF’s Acting President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi said on Tuesday that the Federation received part of the money on Tuesday morning and had immediately launched the process to convert the sum to American Dollars to pay the players their only outstanding entitlement – the win bonus for the match against Burundi in Alexandria on Saturday evening.
“We have paid these monies through our funds managers, Financial Derivatives Company on Monday, 24th June 2019. The only issue we had was that some of the players did not send their bank accounts and instead authorized the bank to pay their monies to some other individuals. The bank requested clear authorization for this to happen.
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“I was on a telephone discussion with the Captain of the team Mikel Obi this morning and can safely say that all clarifications have been made and the usual cordial relationship and understanding between the players and we the administrators is still intact. I have challenged them to go all out and win the trophy assuring them that their monies all the way to the final is guaranteed. It is now for the players to focus on the championship and deliver glory to the nation. I have no doubt of their ability to do that.”
It will be recall that Super Eagle player representative boycotted the mandatory pre-match press conference held at the Alexandria Stadium on Tuesday morning ahead of their second group match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea.
A verifiable source confirmed that the reason why the players are having a meeting and one player did not show up at the press conference is because funds supposed to be credited to their accounts on Monday is being delayed by the Nigerian Federation.