Why Super Eagles paid bonuses are delayed — Journalist

A Canada-based Nigerian journalist, Adewale Ajayi, has revealed the reasons why the bonuses of the Super Eagles, which have already been paid, are delayed.

He revealed this in an article following threats of a boycott of the quarter-final match in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

According to available information on Wednesday, the Super Eagles players refused to depart Fes for Marrakesh in Morocco for the match against Algeria on Saturday.

They are demanding the payment of their bonuses for the group stage matches, all of which they won, and the commanding victory over the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16.

But Ajayi, a Canadian-Nigerian, said the bonuses for the group stage matches had been paid in Naira, Nigeria’s currency.

He said the delay was caused by the players who want to be paid in Dollar.

He said an agreement on this was reached with the authorities earlier.

Ajayi said: “The big question here is: are the Super Eagles players being owed match bonuses?

“The answer is NO!

“The players, after a series of meetings with the NFF, had insisted that they would prefer to be paid in foreign currencies anytime they are on international assignments outside Nigeria.

“The money for all group matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda was ready last week.

“The Team Secretary informed the players and asked if they will want the monies paid directly into their Naira account as this monies were paid in the Nigeria currency, but the players insisted that they want the money paid in dollars.

“So what normally happens in such cases is that the money is paid into their domiciliary accounts through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“That process takes days and could extend into weeks.”

Ajayi, popularly known as OjaLion, said the Super Eagles stand to get $12,500 each for their second round victory against Mozambique, $15,000 if they beat Algeria in the quarter-final, $17,500 for a semi-final victory and $20,000 each if they lift the trophy.