Cash starved new NFF board has not paid Super Eagles players match bonus since inception
By Rasheed Adewuyi
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is starved of funds because its erstwhile president Amaju Pinnick handed over an empty treasury to the incumbent president and his new board. The development has handicapped the new NFF board in the payment of match bonus to the Super Eagles since their inception last year.
Sports Joust has reliably gathered from sources familiar with situation that the NFF is so broke that the Federation is finding it very difficult in carrying out its programs.
“When we assumed office, we inherited a completely empty treasury from the former board, our reliable source stated. This has made it very hard for us to carryout our programs. As you are aware, we need funds to be able to do anything.
Unfortunately, without funds, we can do nothing that is meaningful. The old board decided against leaving any funds in the Federation’s account. This is the sad situation that we have found ourselves.
Sports Joust also gathered that the cash crunch the NFF board have been forced to endure is the reason that national teams coaches are being owed salaries. “We cannot pay salaries when we just do not have the money,” said our source.
“What we can do is work very hard to get money from legitimate sources. We are talking to corporate sponsors and well meaning Nigerians to get their help and progress is being made. Paying coaches salaries and our players their bonuses is our plan and commitment. Hopefully, we will be able to do that soon.”
Our source said that the board is very grateful to the players and coaches for their understanding the situation. “The players and coaches have been very understanding so far. Hopefully the situation will change very soon.”
The Super Eagles and the national U-23 side will play important competitive encounters this month. According to our source, they are likely not going to be paid their bonusses after their games.
