Falcons Draw The Line: NFF Scrambles To End Pay-Dispute Crisis
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has held an emergency meeting to address the Super Falcons’ ongoing protests over unpaid bonuses and allowances—an issue that has dragged on for years and is once again threatening national team activities.
The meeting, held on Monday 24 November 2025, was called to prevent renewed unrest within the camp after the players issued a joint statement demanding full settlement of outstanding entitlements and long-term structural reforms.
The dispute traces back to the build-up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, when the Falcons filed a formal complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). That legal action forced the NFF to begin paying arrears, a process that has stretched into 2025.
A senior NFF official, who spoke anonymously, revealed that over 80% of the owed payments have now been cleared. However, the players insist that the remaining balance must be settled—and that CAS must issue a firm ruling to prevent future delays in payments to all national teams.
“They want a permanent solution, not stopgap payments,” the official stated. “We have handled most of the debt, but they want structural guarantees.”
The ten-time African champions have made their position clear: they will not honour any match until every outstanding entitlement is paid.
The NFF is expected to continue negotiations in the coming days as it races to find a sustainable resolution, with transparency and accountability at the centre of the team’s demands.
