NFF Pays US-Based Falcons Stars WAFCON Bonuses

Twelvemonths after the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation has paid Super Falcons trio Ifeoma Onumonu, Michelle Alozie and Nicole Payne their outstanding WAFCON bonuses.

The nine-time African champions had boycotted training in the North African country in July 2022 to protest their unpaid allowances just before their WAFCON third-place clash against Zambia in Casablanca.

Nigeria were the three-time defending champions, having won the previous three editions in 2014, 2016 and 2018 but had its quest for a fourth consecutive title and a 10th overall dashed in the semi-finals of the competition after losing to hosts Morocco on penalties.

An NFF official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the delayed payment was because the players’ accounts did not have the compulsory Bank Verification Number linked with their National Identity Number.

It was also learnt that while Onumonu was paid her outstanding bonus of $9,500 last week, duo Alozie and Nicole Payne, who missed out of the trip to the World Cup, were paid on Saturday.

Our correspondent gathered that only Toni Payne is yet to receive her outstanding $9,500 as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, at the ongoing Women’s World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, the Falcons kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw against Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Friday.

Captain Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty in the 50th minute to deny Canada skipper Christine Sinclair a chance to become the first player to score in six World Cups in the encounter.

Both teams have a point each, trailing Group B leaders Australia by two, following the co-hosts’ 1-0 win over Ireland Thursday.

The Falcons will face the Aussies in their next Group B game on Thursday at the Brisbane Stadium.