U20 FIFA WWC:4th Place Falconets Net $13,400 Each

The Super Falconets appear well rewarded for their feat at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Japan, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is understood to have paid each member of the team the match bonus and allowances of $13, 400 (about N2.1million).

The bonuses and allowances covered the matches won and lost at the U20 World Cup and the days spent in camp outside the country.

The players and their officials returned to the country Monday.

Though the U20 ladies failed to match their own standard of a second finish in Germany two years, they earned public adulation for their robust and direct approach in Japan.

While in Japan, the team attracted headlines at home as the public felt the bonus the NFF was paying to the players was not enough to motivate the team.

It was in reaction to public sentiment that NFF President Aminu Maigari, caused a 100 percent bonus hike for the Falconets.

The approved package raised their bonus from $1000- $2000 per player.

According to authoritative sources at the ‘Glass House’, Monday night the increase not only boosted the ladies, but the package was back dated to cover the two group matches played before the federation approved the package.

Nigeria defeated North Korea and Italy and drew with Brazil in between those fixtures. The Falconets beat Mexico in the quarter –final only to slump to two defeats in semi final to USA and third placed match against Japan.

We gathered that the total match bonus paid to the Falconets by the federation’ was about $10,000 per player, excluding the camp allowances of $3400 for the days outside the country.

The allowances covered 14 days in South Korea and 20 days in Japan.In-fighting and a power tussle may have caused Nigeria's Falconets the title at the just concluded FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup in Japan won by the United States of America.

The beaten finalists in the last edition held in Germany finished distance fourth losing to hosts, Japan 2-1 in the third place match.

The team arrived Lagos on Monday aboard Emirates Airlines flight without the usual fun fare or red carpet reception showing disapproval of country men and women with their off the pitch conducts while in the Far East states.