A group of players on Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, have spoken out against the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for financial mismanagement and ill-treatment of players.
The players, who spoke anonymously to The Athletic, allege that the NFF has not paid them their agreed-upon match bonuses or wages and that the federation has made several attempts to silence them when they have complained.
The players also say the NFF lacks adequate training facilities or travel arrangements.
The NFF has not yet responded to the allegations.
The players’ complaints come at a time when Nigerian football is facing a number of challenges. The Super Eagles, the men’s national team, failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the country’s domestic league is struggling to attract spectators.
Read also Why Nigeria must build on Super Falcons’ World Cup experiences
The players’ allegations will likely add to the pressure on the NFF to improve its governance of Nigerian football.
The allegations made by the Super Falcons players are serious and should be investigated by the NFF.
The NFF needs to address the players’ concerns and improve its governance of the sport. This includes ensuring that players are paid on time and in full, have access to adequate training facilities and travel arrangements, and are treated with respect.
The Super Falcons are one of the most successful women’s football teams in Africa, and they deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. The NFF needs to take action to ensure that this happens.
