Nigeria: NFF Unfolds Eagles’ World Cup Bonus Package
By Olawale Ajimotokan
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Monday enunciated the bonus breakdown for the Super Eagles and their officials for the FIFA World Cup which begins in Brazil in June . The summary was contained in the financial estimates presented before the Hon Godfrey Gaiya led House Sports Committee by the Secretary General of the NFF, Musa Amadu at the 2014 budget defence.
The federation put its total World Cup budget at N2.8 billion, leaving a deficit of N829 million. The federal government approved only the sum of N1.2 billion for the federation to spend for World Cup campaign this year.
FIFA will give Nigeria the guaranteed sum of $8million (N1.3 billion about) as participation fees which is subject to after tax and sundry costs deduction. In a dramatic reversal from its hardline position that informed the introduction of Code of Conduct for the national team last year, NFF proposed the Eagles would be offered the jumbo sum of $10,000 (about N1.6m) as match bonus for each of the 23 players in the first round of the World Cup.
National Coach Stephen Keshi wil grab $20,000 bonus per match, while each of his three assistants will earn $15,000.
The bonus structure will graduate to $12,500 per player for the round of 16 (second round), while Keshi will fetch $25, 000 (about N4.1m), while the Eagles be rewarded with $15,000 (about N2.5m) if they berth the quarter final for the first time in five World Cup appearances. Keshi will receive double figures of the amount.
The Eagles will cash $20,000 if they win their semi final match, while their effort will be capped with a handsome $30,000 match bonus if they become the first African country to win the FIFA World Cup.
The chief coach will grab $40,000 if he guides the team to the semi final and $60,000 in the event Nigeria clinches the World Cup.
Nigeria will prosecute their World Cup group fixtures in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Porto Alegre against Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina. The financial estimate before the committee also revealed the federation will spend the sum $637,600 (about N70,965, 747) as the cost of camping the Super Eagles in the United States of America before the team arrive Brazil on June 11, a day to the official kick off of the tournament
Amadu, who stood in for NFF President Aminu Maigari, said 30 players will arrive Philadelphia, USA on May 29, a day after Nigeria’s friendly match against Scotland in London. Nigeria will play Greece on June 3 and the USA as THISDAY reported yesterday, in Philadelphia on June 7.
Eagles World Cup Bonus Structure First Round: $10,000 per player Second Round:$12,500 per player Q/ Final: $15,000 per player S/Final: $20,000 per player Final: $30,000 per player.
allAfrica.com