Pinnick threatens players as Sanusi begs for time

The drama surrounding the payment of match bonuses and allowances of Super Falcons by the Nigeria Football Federation gets messier yesterday (Tuesday) as the players threatened to hold onto the African Women Cup of Nations trophy they won last Saturday.

The NFF had promised to pay the players and the officials on Monday when they returned to the country on Sunday after claiming their eighth AWCON title in Cameroon, but officials of the soccer federation did not even show up at the Agora Hotel, Abuja where they lodged the team on the said day let alone give them money.

Our correspondent learnt on Tuesday that things almost got out of hand when the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, eventually visited the team and told them that there was no money to pay.

Sources at the meeting told New Telegraph that the meeting almost ended in fiasco as the players vowed to remain at the hotel until their money is paid.

They even grabbed the trophy they won and vowed not to release it until they are paid. “Pinnick was trying to pacify the players to exercise patience that they will be paid soon, but they (the players) asked him to be specific and the manner those of them asked the question got the NFF boss angry,” a source who was at the meeting told New Telegraph.

“The NFF boss was not happy with the way the stars were handling the issue and made some statements that also infuriated the players. I won’t tell you what Pinnick said because it is better you people don’t write those things.” The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, had earlier visited the team and also begged the players to be patient.

He attempted to give them N50,000 each as transport fare which they rejected. One of the players, who did not want her name in print, said they would stay until concrete arrangement is reached on the payment.

“We are aware of what happened to the U-17 and U-20 female teams who left with empty promises and we do not want to have the same ex-perience.

Before we left there were promises they made and until they fulfill them we will remain in this place,” she said. In a statement released by the federation, Sanusi was quoted to have said at the meeting that: “I have come to appeal to you, to understand the situation of the federation and the country at the moment and exercise patience.

“We will pay you all monies you are being owed as soon as we receive same from the government, just as we paid the U-17 boys who won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile last year, after the tournament.

And just as we sorted out Coach Samson Siasia’s wages as soon as we had the funds, after the Olympics.” He added that: “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.”

Sanusi said the NFF had embarked on aggressive drive to find a permanent solution to the issue of owing players and coaches. “In relation to all these, we are in the process of sorting out our TSA domiciliary accounts so that we can receive our due grants from FIFA and CAF, including the $80,000 prize money from the AWCON, once it is available.”

Meanwhile, Sanusi has confirmed that the NFF is waiting for words from the Federal Government on when the African champions will be hosted to a state reception.

“The reception is out of our hands. We are waiting on the Federal Government, and as soon as we have confirmation of the date, we will inform the players and officials to regroup in

https://newtelegraphonline.com/shame-falcons-seize-awcon-trophy-reject-nffs-n50-000-allowance/

YES!!!
I support them 1000%

THUnDER FIRE NFF THERE!

Shameless NFF. Embezzlement is their watch word.

Infact....u guys should go nd sale that trophy to Cameroon,i think they will be very happy to Buy it,since money no dey..........my fellow NL abi dis plan no good ?

Infact....u guys should go nd sale that trophy to Cameroon,i think they will be very happy to Buy it,since money no dey..........my fellow NL abi dis plan no good ?#hala madrid

Bishop4bella:
Shameless NFF. Embezzlement is their watch word.

True NFF embezzle their money, true we have an incompetent Minister of sports, the real problem is Buhari who thinks sports is a waste of money and not important. Let his zombies deny it, but that is the truth.

am very sure Nigeria is not owning any of the NFF officials , but the super falcons can always be fed with stories....50k t-fare for a whole national team after winning the title. what if they came second or third. That cup must remain "seized" till further notice.

You will never see sarrki on threads like this

I love this style

Seize ke? Falcon una dey para o. Make una catch Dalung and pinnick comot dem boxers join dem boxers with d Trophy.
correct set of ladies !!!!

50,000? NFF IS SHAME TO FOOTBALL

NO WONDER OUR NT COACHES KEEPS RESIGNING...TGEY SHOULD SELL THAT TROPHY AND MAKE USE OF THE MONEY

Most of our public figures are a joke!

The most annoying of them all is the so called 'technical advisers' 'special advisers'. Shameful set of people

Na buhari work be that. evil president... 50k wan no reach $200,... if I be one of those player, I go carry the cup travel to my club in Europe

kai...what if they had not won the trophy??

with the way things are going in this country any hope for we the grassroot footballers

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buhari sef

Pinnick at it again

What kind of mumu government is this bikonu?

How did we even get here as a nation sef?

Nothing seems to be working!

And as for that pinnick whatever! Na God go punish am! How dare the Idiot man threaten the players because they are demanding for their money! No be the idiot wey throw lavish birthday party some days ago wey the likes of e-money and co. attend! If you see this bastard house you will be asking yourself if the house is in nigeria or abroad

Useless nation.
Sai BaBa

Ok

Any power! that wants to belittle my effort and achievements, ......

Funny but expected

See me see trouble ooo.

Chai!!! See as shame dey catch me!!! Nigeria why?? All these our 'newspaper billionaires' nah things like this una suppose dey 'nip in the bud' and prevent from getting out to public knowledge, my people say "if your person is put to shame and you are not ashamed, its obvious you have no shame". This is a national disgrace to all of us!!

How is this shame now? Graduates are yet to receive 30k?

Our Govt no try at all.

What have we done to deserve this ridicule as a nation. May God disgrace these NFF people and other evil leaders in this nation.

Wat a shame........ after all dr effort they r to receive a misery stipend as reward.............which way naija??