Some Nigeria women's national team players who represented the country in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup have expressed frustrations over their treatment by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Newspremises reports

After almost two months after the tournament, some players who asked to be anonymous claim they have received less than half of their daily camp wages and no match bonuses.

It was further revealed that the Nigerian Women are yet to receive $60,000 (£49,000) of FIFA money owed to each player for reaching the round of 16.

Although, this is not unexpected at this stage given the time it takes for FIFA to distribute the funds.


It would recall that, just before the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the super Falcons players threatened to boycott their opening game.

They eventually sealed an agreement with the NFF that players would receive a $100 (£81) daily camp allowance, a $3,000 win bonus, and $1,500 draw bonus.

FIFA later announced that each player at the tournament co-hosted by australia and New Zealand would receive a minimum of $30,000.

It was gathered that the NFF officials later denied the initial agreement, claiming the bonuses previously agreed upon were now included in the FIFA money.

A player told The Athletic:

“We disagreed, we told them ‘no’. You can’t come and tell us you’re not paying us our match bonuses… How can you tell me FIFA included your match bonus (in its money)? They take us as if we are fools, as if we don’t know anything, as if we don’t know our rights.”

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé lead the 12-player shortlist for FIFA's The Best Men's Player nominees, with England midfielder Declan Rice also nominated after captaining former club West Ham United to Europa Conference League success

Argentina captain Messi, now playing for MLS side Inter Miami, is aiming to win the award for a record third time having been given the honour in 2019 and 2022.

But despite helping Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022, Messi faces stiff competition from Manchester City forward Haaland after the Norway international scored 52 goals as Pep Guardiola's side completed a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble last season.

Julián Álvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, Rodri, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Bernardo Silva make up the shortlist alongside Messi, Haaland, Mbappe and Rice.

Spain, who won the Women's World Cup for the first time in australia last month, have four players on the 12-name shortlist for women's award with Aitana Bonmatí, Jenni Hermoso, Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo all in the race to succeed La Roja midfielder Alexia Putellas by winning the trophy.

Linda Caicedo, Rachel Daly, Kadidiatou Diani, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Alex Greenwood, Amanda Ilestedt, Lauren James, Sam Kerr, Hinata Miyazawa and Keira Walsh are also nominated, with Lindsey Horan the only United States player making it onto the shortlist.

Voting for the eighth annual awards opened on Thursday on FIFA.com and closes in mid-October. National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans make up the list of voters.

NFF mandates technical committee to open contract talks with Waldrum

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has mandated its technical committee to hold talks with Super Falcons’ head coach, Randy Waldrum, over a new contract.


Waldrum’s previous contract with the NFF expired after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The NFF now want the American to remain on the job.


“We have given the Technical Committee the go-ahead to hold talks with Randy Waldrum as we consider an extension of his current contract with the NFF. They have to do this quickly as the team has a Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match next week,”NFF chairman, Shehu Gusau said on Tuesday.

“The man has done well by leading the team to an impressive outing at the FIFA World Cup.”

Waldrum was contracted by the NFF in 2021.

The gaffer guided the Super Falcons to the Round of 16 in australia and New Zealand.


The Super Falcons will take on Ethiopia in a 2024 Olympic Games qualifier next month.

Sean Strickland pulled off a big upset on Saturday as he defeated Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title in Sydney, australia.


The 32-year-old combined constant forward movement with solid defence and clinical output at UFC 293.

In doing so, the American beat Adesanya 49-46 on all three scorecards.


As early as the first round, Strickland dropped the Nigerian-New Zealander with a picture-perfect right cross.

The punch sent Adesanya spinning to the canvas before seeking a finish.

Strickland could not quite find the knockout blow, however, as Adesanya survived to the buzzer.

The ensuing rounds were close but Strickland always seemed to be a step ahead of Adesanya, who congratulated his tearful conqueror after the result was confirmed.

Sean Strickland drops Israel Adesanya with a punch in the first round of the UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 293 event at Qudos Bank Arena on Sept. 10, 2023 in Sydney, australia.

Sean Strickland dropped and nearly finished Israel Adesanya late in the first round of their middleweight title fight Sunday in Sydney, australia, in the main event of UFC 293.

Strickland then went on to score one of the biggest upsets in UFC history by winning a unanimous decision over Adesanya largely by defusing Adesanya’s offense. It was a jab and a right hand and a great defense that led Strickland to the win.

Judges scored it 49-46 on all cards for Strickland. Adesanya had the second round.

A blistering straight right hand dropped Adesanya hard late in the first round. Strickland was on top of him immediately and firing away, but referee Marc Goddard gave Adesanya a lot of leeway and he survived the round.

But Strickland continually marched forward, kept his guard up and never allowed Adesanya to get untracked.

When the bout ended, Strickland shouted at Adesanya and then raised his arms and sprinted around the cage in celebration.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has hailed the duo of Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala for being nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards.

On Wednesday, nominees for the men and women categories of this year’s Ballon d’Or was unveiled by the organisers.

Osimhen, who is the first Nigerian male footballer to be shortlisted since 1999, will battle it out with Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski and 24 others.

Oshoala, a nominee in the 2022, will hope to beat 29 other shortlisted players to the award.

Reacting, in a statement on Thursday, Shaibu described the nominations as a great plus to football in Nigeria and a reminder to the world that Nigeria remains a great footballing nation, while thanking the duo for putting the country's name back in the comity of footballing nations.

He said, “It gladdens my heart to see that for the first time since 1999, Nigeria has a male player shortlisted for the famous and much coveted Ballon d’Or Award.

“Victor James Osimhen’s nomination is a testament to how terrific he was under the year in review – his huge and apparent contribution to the success of Napoli’s Scuddeto victory since 1990 is historical and his nomination is just a very fitting recognition by the awarding body. This also is a thing of pride for the good people of Edo state.

“For Asisat Oshoala (Agba Baller), I’m happy that her efforts for Barcelona Feminine in winning the tremble with Barcelona (Primera Division title, the Supercopa de Espana Femenina, and the Champions League), scoring 21 league goals and becoming joint ‘League’s Highest Goals Scorer’ in the process as well as her performance at the FIFA women’s World Cup helping us beat australia against all odds didn’t go unnoticed by experts who have nominated her as the first African Women Footballer for the award.

“This is a great plus to our football in Nigeria and a reminder to the world that Nigeria remains a great footballing nation.

“I want to thank these “wonderful players once again for putting our name back in the comity of footballing nations.

“This, I believe will serve as motivation to other young players out there that they can get to the level they desire as much as they remain consistent and determined to push their goal, regardless of whatever obstacles they may encounter along the journey to attain their goal.”

Last season Osimhen helped Napoli land a first league title since 1990 and also finished top scorer with 26 goals.

On her part, Oshoala played a key role as Barcelona won both the Spanish league and the UEFA women’s Champions League last campaign.

The winners of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award for both men and women will be known at a ceremony in Paris, France on Monday, October 30.

Embattled Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by FIFA for 90 days in the wake of the World Cup kissing row.

The 46-year-old has refused to step down despite mounting pressure from within Spanish football and the government.

He grabbed player Hermoso and kissed her on the lips during the awards ceremony following Spain's 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney, australia.

FIFA said it had suspended Mr Rubiales "from all football-related activities at national and international level".

"This suspension, which will be effective as of today, is for an initial period of 90 days", pending the disciplinary proceedings against Mr Rubiales.