SUPER Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Victor Anichebe have given their backing to their female colleagues in the Super Falcons in their pay dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation.
The Super Falcons are being owed allowances and bonuses stretching back several months and their plight has caught the world’s attention, with Arsenal legend Ian Wright and footballers union FIFPRO adding their voices.
Despite the owed entitlements, the nine-time African champions had a brilliant outing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, going unbeaten in open play in four games and only getting eliminated via penalties by European champions England in the round of 16.
Osimhen, Ighalo and Anichebe — all Super Eagles striker’s past and present — have now joined the call to the NFF to pay the ladies what they are owed.
All three responded to a post by Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala on Instagram which displayed FIFPRO’s statement supporting the team’s fight for their rights.
“Pay them, NFF,” Napoli striker Osimhen commented, directly tagging the Nigerian football governing body.
Ighalo, who Osimhen succeeded as the Super Eagles main centre forward, was more scathing in his response.
“NFF never still stop these things?” the former Manchester United star wrote, adding a face palm emoji to express shame at the NFF’s action.
Former Everton striker Anichebe, who is also retired from the national team, also tagged the NFF and insisted that the Super Falcons deserved to be paid.
He wrote: “NFF, pay them! They did us all proud. Even if they didn’t, PAY THEM WHAT THEY’RE OWED!!!”
Each of the three Super Eagles players, who featured for the national team at different times, also experienced the NFF’s failure to pay up what was owed during their times.
According to FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura, the constant payment headaches the Super Falcons faced was one of the reasons the global ruling body resolved to ensure players get their World Cup bonuses in a new reward model.
Each of the Super Falcons players will receive $60,000 each as World Cup bonuses for reaching the round of 16 in Australia.
FIFA will pay the money through the NFF but will monitor and ensure each player gets her due.
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