The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have agreed to pay the senior national side not less than $2.7m for their participation in the group stages of the Fifa World Cup, with an option of further increment as the team progresses in the tournament.
The disclosed amount is part of the monies the federation earns from the football governing body (Fifa) during its fifth appearance at the World Cup.
And as revealed by the NFF technical committee chairman, Chris Green, who is in Curitiba with the team ahead of Monday night opener against Iran, Super Eagles players will get 30 percent from the Fifa largesse for first round appearance, believed to be about US $9m- meaning about $2.7m.
“When the Senate President, Dr David Mark came here to meet with us and the players, he was totally convinced at our sincerity with the players and what we have on board as the team progresses but some people are just hell bent on ensuring that they raise issues that don’t even exist,” Green said.
“When we unveiled this before the President of the Senate who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, he was full of praise for us and promised that he will add a special bonus from government to the players and promised further surprises if the team goes far in the tourney.”
The Fifa earnings is expected to increase as the team progresses in the tournament. NFF have agreed to give the team 40% for the second round, 50% for the last-8, 60% for the semis and 70% for a progress to the final.
Green further explained that the NFF have also agreed with the playing staff to pay $10000 win bonus for group stages matches, $12500 in the round of 16 and $20,000 for semi-final per players.
Should the team reach the final and go on to lift the trophy, each member of the squad is expected to earn $25000.
The Eagles also plays Argentina, 2-1 winners over Bosnia-Hercegovina on Sunday, and the European debutantes, after today’s opening group game over Iran.
