Shocked! NFF Pays U17 Champions, Golden Eaglets Players N20k Each

Some members of the victorious FIFA U-17 World Cup squad, the Golden Eaglets have expressed shock after they were handed N20, 000 each by officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Pilot report.

“It’s surely not the best way to treat heroes. The money they gave us could not even fetch us flight tickets to take us home to see our loved ones,’’ said one of the players who did not want his name in print for fear of victimization by officials of the football federation.

Another player said on phone yesterday: “I’ve heard about how badly players have been treated in the past. I didn’t think ours would come so soon. I am still, however, grateful to God we came home with the trophy. The victory has opened new doors of opportunity which we are already exploring,’’ said the player who is on verge of sealing a lucrative professional contract with an English Premier League club.

The Nigerian contingent arrived Abuja last Wednesday after and were driven round parts the Federal Capital Territory in a motorcade before the convoy arrived at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The new Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong, later had dinner with the team at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The team will be decamped on Thursday, to reconvene for a presidential reception, which Nigerian Pilot gathered, has been scheduled for November 28 in Abuja.