Player bonuses threatened as Nigerian FA appeals asks for more World Cup cash

By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – Nigeria’s seemingly endless struggle and debate over how much and when to pay win bonuses to its national team players and officials has begun for the World Cup already. But while there is a will to pay, there may not be a way with the current budget for the 2014 tournament to be granted by the government expected to come in at only half the requested amount by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The current proposal is for players to be paid $10,000 per win in the group stages, £12,000 in the round of 16, $15,000 in the quarter finals, $20,000 in the semi and $30,000 for winning the final. The total win bonus each player would receive if Nigeria win the World Cup players would be £100,000.

Coach Stephen Keshi will get $20,000 while his assistants will each receive $15,000. Players also receive a $200 per day daily camp allowance.

Currently the expected shortfall on the budget could be as much as $5 million.

Musa Amadu, the NFF’s General Secretary led a delegation on Monday to Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Sports to defend the budget application. It is understood that the government has approved Naira 1.2 billion (7.3 million), but the NFF says it needs Naira 2 billion ($12 million).

“There will be a shortfall in this World Cup budget to the tune of N829,839,436 ($5 million) and the way we look at it, this amount the government is bringing will only take the Super Eagles to the round of 16 match in terms of the bonuses to be paid, air tickets, estacodes, preparation and the rest of it,” said Amadu.