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Nigeria Super Falcons stage protest at parliament over unpaid emoluments

Xinhua, December 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

The victorious national women's soccer team of Nigeria have taken protests over their unpaid emoluments to the national parliament, almost two weeks after they defeated the national team of Cameroon to claim their eighth African Women Cup Of Nations (AWCON) title.

The ladies' team, officially known as Super Falcons, staged a protest early Wednesday at the main gate of the parliament ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari's arrival at the National Assembly complex to present the country's 2017 budget to national legislators.

Midfielder Rita Chikwelu, who captained the Super Falcons to victory in AWCON 2016 held in Cameroon, led the team's protest at the national parliament.

Each player of the team is owed at least 17,000 U.S. dollars by the football authorities in the West African country.

Demanding their pay during the protest, the players displayed placards calling on the Nigerian government to quickly address the situation.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already admitted owing the players, attributing the debt to the present economic situation in the country.

The NFF said in spite of its financial challenges, it was making necessary arrangement to pay the players and officials of the female team all their entitlements for winning the AWCON.

The money for this, however, is not available at the moment, according to a recent statement by the NFF.

"We will pay them all monies they are being owed as soon as we receive same from government," said the statement.

Last Wednesday, the Super Falcons vowed not to vacate their hotel in the city center until their allowances were paid.

Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF's secretary general, said various measures were being taken to find a permanent solution to the issue of owing players and coaches.

He told reporters the NFF is awaiting corporate sponsorship to improve its finances.

"We are also working to get monies outstanding from former sponsors of the national teams, to complement what we are expecting from government," he added.

Local experts said the present situation is likely to affect the country's football development in future, noting with the shortage of funds more challenges might crop up.

President Buhari's Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, who addressed the protesting players Wednesday, said the government would pay the debt within two days. Endit