Yesterday, Nigeria qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics by beating hosts Senegal 1-0 in the semi finals and is due to play Algeria, who beat South Africa in the other semi final on Saturday. Under the rules of the tournament, the top three teams qualify for the Olympics, so Senegal and South Africa have to fight for the final slot, while the two finalists will slug it out for the trophy.
However, the players have expressed dismal at the fact that they have not received any of their match bonuses and camp allowances so far. They added that the kit manufacturers Nike have also failed to supply sufficient jerseys to the team and the players have been forced to wash their training bibs and tops.
One player said: “We have not been paid since we began our camping and this is not fair, so we are thinking of boycotting the final match. We have now received a single penny from the NFF and it is so horrible to say we have been washing and wearing our training kits.”
“We want urgent payment of our salaries or else we would not play and that is final. We have not been paid anything since we arrived and want the matter addressed."
A three goal victory will be awarded to Algeria if Nigeria proceeds to boycott the game and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) might sanction the country further. It is not yet clear if Caf has the authority to substitute Nigeria if the squad known as Dream Team IV fails to take to the pitch come the weekend.
Head coach Samson Siasia, has praised the gods of football and goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, after his team qualified for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio. Daniel saved a penalty in the first half and produced some excellent saves, to enable Nigeria clinch one of the three prized tickets.
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