‘Don’t ignore Super Falcons’ demands’

As the Super Falcons’ stand off with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid allowances enters its tenth day, National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to pay the team all outstanding allowances.

Former Nigeria international Austin Popo who is General Secretary of the union said in a statement yesterday that the Super Falcons, after their conquest of Africa and made Nigeria proud, were being ridiculed by the sports’ authorities

. “Since the team came back from Cameroon, the players have refused to vacate their hotel on grounds of unpaid salaries and allowances, coupled with other unfulfilled promises.
Super Falcons in Cameroon
“
Promises from tournaments, ranging from the Olympic qualifiers to the All African Games and now the African Women Championship, remained unfulfilled.

“We believe this situation is avoidable with proper dialogue, sensitivity and transparency on the part of the authorities.

“The union condemns a statement credited to the Minister of Sports that adequate preparation was not made to offset the players’ entitlements because he did not expect them to win the AWCON Cup.

“The union wants the NFF to take responsibility by ensuring the players and officials are paid their entitlements without further delay.

“There is no doubt the NFF is cash-strapped and government’s release of funds dysfunctional. “But it is important the welfare of the players and coaches should be of top priority in the disbursement of available fund.

“We expect the leadership of our sports’ authorities to make sacrifices in ensuring that the issue of players and coaches takes the centre stage above personal interest,” it said