By Victor Kanayo
World football governing body, FIFA, has decided to pay bonuses for both group and knockout stages of the ongoing Women’s World Cup directly to the personal accounts of Nigeria’s Super Falcons players.
This was revealed by FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, who had visited the Nigerian team inside their dressing room at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium following their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their final group game of the World Cup.
A UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, posted the video where Samoura, an African football administrator made the promise.
FIFA Firm Commitment
According to Samoura who is due to exit FIFA in her current role, “It is because of you (Super Falcons) that for the first time in the history of FIFA the Women’s World Cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players.”
Obayiuwana also said that FIFA’s director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, told him that Samoura had given him the mandate to ensure that the players receive the money.
FIFA had previously confirmed that the 732 players participating in the World Cup would be paid at least $30,000 each.
The paycheck rises if teams do well, with each player for the winning team earning $270,000.
The $30,000 payment is a significant payday for many players: The average annual salary worldwide for women who play professionally is $14,000.
NFF Lacklustre Approach
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had always been engulfed in financial management crisis with players of various national teams complaining and demanding their pay even after the money might have been released by either FIFA or sponsors.
Days to the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Nigerian team reportedly threatened to boycott first match against Canada, after the Federation allegedly said the players won’t get any other pay aside that of FIFA winning bonus.
Super Falcons Richer Than Ever, Face Lionesses
So far, each Super Falcons player have earned $90,000 after qualifying for the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup being played in Australia and New Zealand.
The Super Falcons who had already pocketed $30,000 each as an appearance fee from FIFA, now have $120,000 each – $30,000 earned in the Group Stage and $60,000 for knockout round.
They will now battle the Three Lionesses of England, rated 4th best globally, in the second round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday.
England finished first in Group A, while Nigeria placed second in their group.
