The national women’s football team, Super Falcons, showcased exceptional resilience on Thursday, defying all odds, to secure a remarkable 3-2 victory over host Australia in their second Group B match at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
This remarkable feat at Lang Park in Melbourne, witnessed by 49,156 Australians cheering for their team, marked Africa’s first victory in the tournament and firmly positioned the nine-time African champions on track for the round of 16. A supposedly simple task against the Republic of Ireland at the same venue on tomorrow will secure their spot in the next stage.
However, in the considered opinion of this newspaper, it is disheartening to note that the Nigerian girls, despite their commendable performance, have not been paid their match fees, camp allowances, and winning bonuses for several months.
Even after their first match, a goalless draw against Olympic champions Canada, they remained unpaid.
It is instructive to note that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) owe the girls not only several allowances and bonuses from 2021 but has also threatened to withhold tournament match bonuses following FIFA’s announcement that each player would receive around £15,760 for participating in the group stages of the competition.
Despite the team’s threats to protest, they chose to prioritize patriotism over personal interests, which speaks volumes about their dedication to the country.
Nevertheless, this is not the first instance where the NFF has subjected the Super Falcons and other national teams to such maltreatment and payment disputes.
We totally condemn the continuous lackadaisical attitude towards these girls, who have brought so much pride to the country.
In the past, we have witnessed similar disputes, such as after the Cameroon 2016 edition of the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), where the girls refused to surrender the trophy until Vice President Yemi Osinbajo intervened.
Instead of addressing the issue, the NFF reacted by sacking the team coach, Florence Omagbemi.
Similarly, during the France 2019 World Cup, the girls refused to leave their rooms due to unpaid allowances, and Desire Oparanozie was stripped of the captaincy for leading the protest.
Sadly ,Nigerian teams have repeatedly faced numerous pay disputes, with coaches often going unpaid and players resorting to boycotting training sessions during qualifiers or tournaments due to unpaid bonuses.
This recurring issue has brought embarrassment to the country on the international stage. We have had enough of this unacceptable treatment and maltreatment of our sports heroes.
Following the momentous victory against host Australia, Arsenal legend, Ian Wright, expressed his support for the Nigerian girls through social media. He emphasized the urgency of paying them their dues, adding his voice to the ongoing dispute between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
It is high time we put an end to this situation and ensure our athletes are treated with the respect and fairness they rightfully deserve.
Similarly,Coach Randy Waldrum has been outspoken about the mistreatment of his players, including disagreements over unpaid wages, poor travel arrangements, and the cancellation of pre-tournament camps.
Needless to say, the NFF’s history of owing coaches and players and their lack of concern for their welfare is undeniable. Instead of addressing the concerns raised by Waldrum, they resorted to criticizing him, further exacerbating the situation.
Despite the Super Falcons’ dominance in African women’s football, they have struggled to replicate their success beyond the continent, particularly in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games no thanks to lack of motivation from the football authorities.
With the team starting their World Cup campaign on a positive note and remaining unbeaten, it is crucial for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the NFF pays all outstanding allowances and bonuses to avoid any distractions that could jeopardize their campaign in Australia and New Zealand.
It is time to prioritize the well-being of our sports heroes and treat them with the respect they deserve.
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