Broke Nigeria order Euro stars to buy flight tickets for World Cup clash

by Samm Audu

Saturday Oct 01, 2016. 15:18

Broke Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have asked Europe-based stars called up for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier in Zambia to buy their flight tickets.

READ: Will Mikel shake off injury for World Cup qualifier?

The NFF have promised to refund the players when they fly into Abuja just as it has come to light that the players are now owed several match bonuses and other allowances.

“This is not good for our morale going into a big game lie the one in Zambia,” lamented one of the invited players when offering his reaction to the latest order from the NFF.

For last month’s AFCON qualifier in Uyo, the NFF had bought the players their tickets.

Their camp allowances for that particular match were only sourced from hosting Akwa Ibom State Government.

And even that was not without controversy as the players insisted the 10 million Naira from the Akwa Ibom Government was a gift to the team.

The Super Eagles are expected to fly out from Abuja to Ndola in the new week for the October 9 qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

The NFF have already denied a media report that due to their crippling financial mess they may not honour the World Cup showdown.

Coach Gernot Rohr has called up 23 players, 20 of whom are based overseas, for the match.

They include several Premier League players - Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City), Odion Ighalo and Isaac Success (Watford), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) as well as Alex Iwobi (Arsenal).