By Milcah Tanimu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing a summons from the House Committee on Sports to address the concerning situation involving a financial dispute with the Super Falcons during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which has caused a crisis surrounding FIFA funds.

Despite being nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons were eliminated in the Round of 16 by England’s Three Lionesses (4-2) through a penalty shootout. Prior to the World Cup, the team was already grappling with unresolved issues concerning unpaid bonuses and allowances. Despite these challenges, the team chose to set these concerns aside in order to focus on their World Cup campaign.

The matter gained significant attention on social media, with various stakeholders within the football community pressuring the NFF to promptly compensate the Super Falcons players for their rightful earnings. This situation not only tarnished the reputation of the federation but also reflected negatively on Nigeria as a whole.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the House Committee on Sports has taken the initiative to call upon the NFF’s senior officials for an explanation. The scheduled meeting, set for Tuesday, aims to uncover the underlying reasons for the prolonged delay in compensating the players, an issue that has persisted since 2021.

This invitation seeks to address the pressing concern of unresolved bonuses for the national teams and aims to find a lasting solution to the persistent problem of outstanding payments.