Soper Falcons during their protest against unpaid allowances at the National Assembly

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the release of 471 million for the payment of match allowances and bonus to the male and female national team, the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons.

While announcing the release of the funds, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation said it has released the mandate to Central Bank of Nigeria for payment of naira equivalent of US$1,173,820.00 at N305/$ to Nigeria Football Federation to pay outstanding winning bonuses for Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying Matches and for the Super Falcons’ participation in the 10th Women’s Africa nations Cup.

“This is in furtherance of the approval from Hon Minister of Finance for the said amount to be paid. The mandate which is a sum of Three hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, fifteen thousand, One Hundred naira only has been paid by Central bank of Nigeria as at yesterday 15th December, 2016.

“Similarly, another mandate for the sum of One hundred and Thirteen million, Eight Hundred and Twenty thousand, Six Hundred and Two naira only has also been released by Office of Accountant General of the Federation for the payment of wining bonus for Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying matches; and for the Super Falcon’s participation in the 10th Women’s Africa Nation’s Cup.

“This amount has also been paid to Nigeria Football Federation and is equally sequel to the approval of the Honourable minister of Finance.”

It will be recalled that the Super Falcons, winner of the 2016 Women African Nations Cup had embarked on protest to the National Assembly on Wednesday to protest nonpayment of their allowances and winning bonuses.  President Muhammadu Buhari who was at the National Assembly to present the 2017 budget the same day had promised that the players will be paid the allowances.