Eagles Boycott Training Over Pay Dispute

Nigeria players reportedly refused to train on Thursday following a pay dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Super Eagles are demanding to be paid $30,000 per man for reaching the second round of the World Cup.

According to AfricanFootball.com, the squad were paid- based on their agreement with the football federation- a total of $15,000 for the first round, having earned half of their win bonus ($5,000) for the goalless draw with Iran and the full win bonus ($10,000) for the victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina.

They did not receive any money for their 3-2 loss to Argentina last Wednesday.

Nigeria Super Eagles Wants Full Match Bonus for the Goalless Draw With Iran and the Loss to Argentina.
Nigeria Super Eagles Wants Full Match Bonus for the Goalless Draw With Iran and the Loss to Argentina.

But the players now insists they get a win bonus for the draw with Iran, as well as for the 3-2 loss to Argentina, having progressed to the last-16.

A previous pay row over appearance fee was sorted early on in the campaign after the NFF agreed to pay the team 30% of the World Cup earnings for a first round participation.

Coach Stephen, on Thursday, dismissed a report that his players are nursing plans to boycott Monday’s second round clash with France, only for the latest development to fuel more cynicism over the team’s commitment for the crucial game.

“The team are just being unreasonable,” says a top official who had pleaded anonymity. “They agreed for match-by-match bonus and not be paid for qualification to the knockout stage. So why should they now be making such a demand.”