The Nigeria Football Federation’s shoddy arrangement is responsible for the delay in the payment of Super Falcons’ bonuses allowances, Nigeria’s Sports Minister Solomon Dalung said on Thursday.

The Super Falcons won eight AWCON title on Saturday after defeating hosts Cameroon 1-0.

Dalung told the BBC’s Newsday programme that the NFF was to blame for the situation for not submitting the request for funds for the team in good time. He said the government was working on resolving the issue.

The players are also holding the Federation responsible for not paying them camp allowances, match bonuses and their coaches’ salaries, which have accrued for over eight months. Reports say each player is entitled to $23, 400.

One of the players, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that “officials of the federation came to give each of us $100 as transport allowance and told us to go home with the promise that they will pay us in January.”

Former Falcons striker Mercy Akide Udoh said she is horrified by the situation.

“If the situation does not change, my kids will never play for Nigeria,” she told BBC in an interview.

Udoh said that the female team suffered systemic neglect in the hands of the Federation during her time and suggested that the same thing should not be happening to the ‘new generation’ of players.

“Who wants to suffer? We did in our own time. This is a new generation. They should not be suffering what we suffered.”

Their participation at the championship should have a “happy ending,” she said. (NAN)

•Photo shows Dalung.

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