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By Joe Apu
A sports administrator and rights advocate, Prince Harrison Jalla, has criticised media personalities and organisations attacking the Super Eagles over demands for unpaid bonuses, insisting that the players are entitled to their allowances within agreed timelines.
In a statement on Thursday, Jalla said bonus payments are not open-ended and should be settled promptly, particularly during major competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He argued that delays in payments amount to poor administration and unfair pressure on the players.
Jalla accused the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of mismanagement, noting that both bodies had over two years to prepare financially and logistically for the AFCON tournament.
He questioned how the official NFF delegation to Morocco was funded, asking whether federation and NSC officials were being owed allowances or whether they personally financed their trips.
According to him, it is standard practice for official delegations to international competitions to receive their estacodes and allowances in hard currency either before departure or upon arrival, regardless of a team’s performance.
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“Why should the players be vilified for demanding their legitimate entitlements?” Jalla asked.
He praised the Super Eagles’ performances so far at the ongoing AFCON, highlighting recent matches against Uganda and Mozambique, which he said showed a team gradually regaining confidence and returning to its traditional form.
Jalla stressed that Nigeria’s football problems have never been about a lack of talent but rather poor administration.
He called for a thorough review of football governance after the tournament, noting that Nigeria remains strongly favoured to win the competition.
While reiterating that no individual player is bigger than the nation, Jalla said it is the responsibility of the NFF to maintain discipline in the team through effective leadership. He warned that continued administrative failures could further embarrass the country at international events.
