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The Nigeria Football Federation has decried insinuations in some quarters that the Central Bank of Nigeria is delaying payments of match bonuses and allowances due to the Super Eagles at the ongoing 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire.
“That is sheer idle talk without substance. The NFF is grateful to the CBN for the way and manner they have continued to expedite action on payment requests that we have sent to them with regards to this competition. It is unfair for anyone to concoct lies against the institution for whatever reasons.
“We have not experienced any delays or complication of processes at the CBN this time, and we give kudos to them for their diligence and great sense of duty,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Tuesday.
Sanusi also heaped plaudits on the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh for the commendable role he continues to play in ensuring the welfare of Nigerian footballers, nay athletes, is paramount.
“We cannot thank the Honourable Minister enough for the noble and positive role that he continues to play in the development of Nigeria sports generally, especially his commitment to the welfare of the main actors in the game. He has led from the front in all our pursuits and we give him kudos for his efforts.”
Based on prior agreement with the NFF, the Super Eagles will be paid a qualification bonus for reaching the knockout rounds, and not the match-by-match payment option. Their match bonuses are also graduated as they progress in the tournament.
AFCON 2023: Omeruo says Super Eagles will do the talking on the field
2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kenneth Omeruo says the Super Eagles have little or no time for confabulation and will prefer to do the talking on the turf of the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny against Angola in the quarter-final of the 34th edition in Abidjan on Friday.
The experienced defender came in to help stabilise the rearguard in the closing stages of Saturday’s Round of 16 defeat of five-time champions Cameroon at the same venue, and is confident that the Palancas Negras (Sable Antelope) will bite the dust by the final blast of the referee’s whistle.
“We have absolutely no need to go into back-and-forth chatter with any team. The Super Eagles are in Cote d’Ivoire for serious business. We have not played Angola for a long time but I remember we played them in 2012 in a friendly and it ended in a draw. I have also read of how previous encounters between the two countries have been quite close.
“There is no possibility of Friday’s match ending in a draw; a winner must emerge. So much talk has been going on. Our collective resolve is to do the talking on the pitch. The Nigeria Spirit trumps all.”
A number of the Angolan playing personnel, including captain Fredy Kulembe, have been talking about stepping on the Eagles to achieve their aim of a place in the semi-finals of Africa’s most prestigious football competition. But Omeruo insists that talk is cheap.
“We drew our first match (against Equatorial Guinea) and many people concluded that we are not here to compete strongly for the trophy. They have since admitted that we may be up to something after we defeated Cote d’Ivoire, and then Cameroon. We must continue to work hard, believe in ourselves and put in a solid shift each day and time we get onto the field.”
…Nwabali not ruled out of quarter-final clash with Angola
Nigeria’s new number one, Stanley Nwabali may still be available for selection for the quarter-final duel with Palancas Negras of Angola if he passes a late fitness test set for Wednesday.
According to team medics, the 27-year -old copped a mild ligament injury during the Round of 16 battle with the Indomitable Lions on Saturday, and the doctors have been working on him to see if he will come good in a late fitness test 48 hours before the cracker with the southern Africans.
“Fingers crossed. If all goes well, he might be available for selection.”
The Chippa United goal-tender has won the hearts of Nigerians with his self-assured posture between the sticks and his penchant for launching onslaughts with long kicks that have been unsettling the opposition at this tournament.
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