LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) will immediately pay the Super Falcons of Nigeria their prize money for competing in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Following the Nigerian women’s team’s World Cup group-final 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland on Monday at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura informed them of this in the team’s locker room.
“It is because of you (the Super Falcons) that for the first time in the history of FIFA the Women’s World Cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,” Samoura said in a video posted by UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana.
Obayiuwana said that FIFA’s director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, had informed him that Samoura, who will be leaving her job with the world’s governing body of football in a few months, had given him the responsibility of seeing to it that the players received their compensation.
READ ALSO: World Cup: Super Falcons Advance To Knockout Stage After Draw Against Ireland
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Football Federation, informed them last month that the federation has canceled their match incentives of £15,760 (AUS$30,000) for taking part in the group rounds of the competition.
Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum also disclosed that several players are due “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago during the buildup to the World Cup.
The allegations nearly had an impact on the Nigerian players’ preparation for the competition.
The 732 players competing in the World Cup would get at least $30,000 apiece, FIFA had previously affirmed.
If teams do well, the remuneration increases, with the winning team’s players receiving $270,000 apiece.
Many players will find the $30,000 reward to be a sizable payday given that ladies who play professionally earn an average yearly income of $14,000 in their respective countries.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand, has already paid each Super Falcons player $90,000.
READ ALSO: WWC: Super Falcons Won’t Get Very Far After Failing To Defeat Republic Of Ireland – Fans
Previously, the Super Falcons had received $30,000 each as an appearance fee from FIFA, now get $120,000 apiece, with $30,000 paid for the Group Stage and $60,000 for the knockout stage.
In the Round of 16 on Monday, the Super Falcons will play the Three Lionesses of England.
Monday’s match between Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland ended in a scoreless tie, advancing Nigeria to the competition’s round of 16.
The Nigerian women’s team placed second behind co-hosts Australia after the outcome of their last Group B game.