Sports
Super Falcons threaten to boycott World Cup tournament
Nigerian football has never had it easy on its players and staff, and in the moment, it is the Super Falcons team, the country’s senior female football team that suffers the brunt of the Nigeria Football Federation’s lapses.
This however, has forced a ruthless reaction from the team in response to an ongoing dispute regarding bonuses.
In a shocking turn of events, the Nigerian women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, is preparing to stage a protest and boycott their opening match of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The decision comes after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the cancellation of their match bonuses for the tournament.
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, delivered the news to the players, stating that their match bonuses for the competition had been revoked by the federation.
This decision prompted six senior players, including captain Onome Ebi, Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, Ohale Osinachi, Tochukwu Oluehi, and Desire Oparanozie, to convene a meeting upon their arrival at the Mercure Resorts in Gold Coast, Australia.
Following Sanusi’s announcement, the senior players held a lengthy meeting, during which they unanimously decided to press for their demands.
The players expressed their readiness to go as far as missing their first game against Canada on July 21 as a means to protest the unjust treatment they have experienced. A senior player confirmed their resolve, stating, “We are ready to go as far as missing our first game… because this has to stop.”
The decision to protest and boycott the opening game stemmed from the players’ belief that their demands are legitimate. They plan to gather the necessary information before proceeding with their protest, with their next meeting scheduled for a later date.
The NFF’s decision to cancel the Super Falcons match bonuses was revealed to the players shortly before their departure from Abuja to Australia on July 2. According to Sanusi, FIFA had already announced that each player would receive $30,000 during the group stage of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Consequently, the players were informed that they would no longer receive 30 percent of the $1,560,000 FIFA grant allocated to all member associations for the group stage.
Upon hearing the news, the players were left stunned and their morale significantly affected.
They found it hard to believe the General Secretary’s statement, as it seemed unfair and unjust. One player questioned Sanusi about whether FIFA would deduct the $30,000 from the $1.5 million they granted to the federation, to which he replied negatively.
This led the player to argue that if the federation had received the full $1.5 million, their match bonuses should not be affected. However, Sanusi asked them to choose between the $9,000 match bonus and the $30,000 from FIFA, leading to further dissatisfaction.
Contrary to rumors, the Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, was not involved in instigating the players to protest against the federation. A team source dismissed such claims as a distraction from the truth, stating that the players have been facing maltreatment and injustice long before Waldrum’s appointment.
They emphasized that they are fighting for a just cause and do not require anyone to push them. The source further urged the authorities to allow the coach to focus on his job.
In response to the mistreatment they feel they have endured, the Super Falcons players have decided to stage a protest before the start of the competition to draw attention to their plight.
Their aim is to shed light on the challenges they face and bring global awareness to their struggle. Determined not to continue suffering in silence, the players seek justice and fair treatment from the Nigeria Football Federation.
As the Super Falcons’ boycott looms, the football world watches with anticipation, hoping for a swift resolution that will ensure the Nigerian team’s participation in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
