Ex-International Garba Lawal Condemns Eagles Money Saga

Rumours have emanated following Nigeria's lacklustre performance against Iran on Monday June 16: Before the Super Eagles of Nigeria travelled to Brazil from their base in USA, the team threatened not to play in the tournament if their share from FIFA's disbursement of 8 Million dollars from the money allocated to participating teams in the World Cup is not paid them.

The sports minister Dr. Tammy Danagogo waded in and the matter looked to be resolved then. However, the team has come into light again with the rumour that it performed badly against Iran because money was owed them.

Ex-international Garba Lawal noted that the issue of the appearance fee was not relevant enough to distract the team from playing well in Brazil.

In a chat with African Football, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee member said the players have lost concentration of the task at hand and given way to be distracted with the demand for money.

“Every time it is money, money. I don’t know. It makes me crazy. Do the job first and then you ask for your money.''

The proprietor of Nigerian side Kaduna United continued: “Do your job well and then you can hold the federation. Whether they like it or not, they will go and look for your money and give you. They may even give you more.

“But rather you are busy complaining of money before the game. They even have the luck that they are not like us, because for them before they talk, the money is there.”

This is not the first time the team will be meshed in a pay saga, last year they were on a stalemate with the Federation after they requested for bonuses before appearing for the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Lawal further admonished the team to concentrate on play and then talk later of the pay, considering the tough game against Bosnia on Saturday.

“The second game will be difficult more than the game against Iran because Bosnia play good football and they are tactically disciplined, just like Iran.''

Another member of the NFF Ademole Olajire has also debunked the rumour.