Unpaid bonuses, lingering issues trail Super Falcons WAFCON 2024 triumph
Some players of the Nigeria women’s national football team are still being owed bonuses and camp allowances despite Nigeria’s victory at the Morocco 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last July.
The unpaid entitlements date back to the 2024 qualification matches against Cape Verde in late 2023, with parts of the WAFCON-winning bonuses and tournament camp allowances also yet to be settled.
Checks with the Nigeria Football Federation suggest that efforts have been made to clear the backlog, though no clear or realistic timeline has been communicated, raising concerns as another WAFCON approaches.
Beyond the financial issues, the situation exposes deeper, long-standing concerns over the treatment of the women’s national team. In recent years, the Super Falcons have faced limited international friendlies, inconsistent preparation schedules, and reports of inadequate training kits during major tournaments, including WAFCON.
There were also logistical lapses, with players reportedly waiting months—up to six months in some cases—before recovering their personal belongings after returning from a successful campaign.
These developments mirror a recurring pattern, with previous bonus disputes recorded after the 2016 WAFCON triumph, as well as delays following the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2022 WAFCON.
An affected player, speaking anonymously, said: “We give everything for the country on the pitch, but the welfare side often feels like an afterthought. It affects morale, especially when promises are not kept.”
Another player added: “It’s not just about money—it’s about respect and proper planning. When basic things like kits, allowances, and logistics are not handled well, it sends the wrong message to the team.”
Responding to the concerns, an NFF official who spoke on condition of anonymity acknowledged the challenges, noting that steps are being taken to resolve outstanding payments.
“The issue of bonuses and allowances is being handled. Efforts have been made to clear what is outstanding, but processes involving approvals and funding can take time. What is important is that there is commitment to settle all legitimate entitlements,” the official said.
Another source within the federation added: “We are aware of the concerns raised by the players. Discussions are ongoing internally and with relevant stakeholders to ensure these issues are resolved. It is not being ignored.”
Despite consistently delivering success and maintaining Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football, concerns persist that the team is not receiving commensurate support off the pitch.
With another continental tournament on the horizon, stakeholders say addressing these recurring welfare and administrative issues is critical to sustaining performance and ensuring the Super Falcons are adequately supported as ambassadors of Nigerian football.
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