Super Falcons refuse to budge

Whereas Sports Ministry officials told nigeriasports.com Wednesday night that “arrangements have been concluded for money to be disbursed to the victorious team,” the story was different when a call was put through to the captain in South Africa.

Perpetual Nkwocha, skipper of the side who has suddenly assumed a “super star” status among soccer fans in Nigeria following “her boldness to hold out against the exploitative sports administrators” told nigeriasports.com “no money has come yet.”

Her response was contrary to assurances from the Minister’s aide who said “we have sent money through a bank for them and they would return to Nigeria tomorrow (Thursday).” But Nkwocha said: “We have not seen anybody with money. If it is a bank, no bank has paid us money or called us to say our money is there. So, we are still waiting for the money and until we get the money, we will continue to wait.”

She refused to be intimidated by talks of sanction from the NFA. “We have not stolen any money, we only want our money,” Nkwocha said in reaction to Ibrahim Galadima’s hints of possible sanction to the team for “causing international incident to Nigeria by their shameful bahaviour.”

But the Sports Minister Col. Musa Mohammed, has ruled out sanctions for the team. In a reception programme held for the Paralympic team who returned from Athens with five gold medals, Col. Mohammed only noted that his ministry was trying to sort out the problems with the Falcons.

Galadima had blamed the Ministry’s refusal to release funds for the South Africa trip for the present logjam. The Falcons are demanding a payment of 6,000 USD as winning bonus away from the the consistent 2,000USD hitheto paid by the NFA.

Galadima told nigeriasports.com he offered them his own "personal 3,000USD they took it and still refused to come home."

The women team has in the past received unfair treatment compared to their male conterparts despite consistent victories.

In 2002, they were not even acknowledged for winning the African title back-to-back thrice in Warri, Delta state.

It took a persistence pressure by the media for the ministry to hold a late reception for the team. The team to South Africa was made up largely of second string players following commitment of the senior team in Olympics engagement in Athens.

By Jo Benson in Lagos