Nigeria FA signs payment deal with Super Eagles players for World Cup

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Thursday Nov 16, 2017. 18:00

Nigerian media reports that the Nigerian Football Federation has engaged players in signing an agreement regarding payments ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick says he is determined to avoid the problems that have blighted African teams' participation at past World Cups, especially the Super Eagles.

The BBC reports that skipper John Mikel Obi has welcomed the deal and says he is excited with the initiative from the NFF.

"We are very happy and excited with this development," he said to the BBC.

"This is the first time since I started playing for the senior team that I would see everything regarding preparation and bonuses and allowances put down in black and white and a binding agreement executed.

"It is reassuring that we now have a Federation leadership so committed to making everything work that they arranged this meeting and allowed the players to contribute and then set out to sign the agreement."

The agreement was signed after a meeting between senior players and top NFF officials ahead of Tuesday's 4-2 friendly win against Argentina in Russia.

According to the NFF vice-president, Shehu Dikko, he said the deal is a comprehensive document that includes the build-up to the tournament in Russia.

"We have concluded negotiations and come to an agreement with the team as regards bonuses, allowances and share of income from FIFA for the 2018 World Cup," Diko added.

"Every detail has been agreed on match bonus for each match and each round up to the final as well as share of income from FIFA money for each round until the stage we are able to get to at the finals.

"We also agreed on preparation, such as how much players will be paid for the friendly matches, including how and when the monies would be paid.

"We even delved into how the NFF would apply the funds due to it from FIFA after paying the players their share."