Ahmed Musa has disclosed that the Super Eagles were yet to be
paid their bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation but insists
the players have put behind them the bonus row with the NFF, as
they prepare to face Madagascar on Sunday (today).
The players shunned a pre-match press conference and were late
for their final training session ahead of Wednesday’s 1-0 win over
Guinea, in protest over owed bonuses, before they were promised
payment by the NFF.
Musa’s revelation at the pre-match press conference for
Madagascar comes as a shock after the Federal Government intervened
in the row, with the Presidency sending funds to Egypt for the
payment of the players’ allowances.
However, the Al Nassr forward insists the players are focused on
the Madagascar game and will not engage the federation in another
face-off.
“The spirit is good in camp and we are ready to play tomorrow
(today),” Musa said at the press conference on Saturday ahead of
the game against Madagascar.
“We have put the disagreement about bonuses behind us, we spoke
amongst ourselves. I don’t know what the NFF has planned, but we
will do our job. They are yet to pay the team’s outstanding
bonuses.
“The governments all over Africa need to do better with
financing teams for international competitions.
Musa, who made his international debut against Madagascar in
Calabar in 2010, also refuted claims that the players were avoiding
injuries during matches.
“We want to give our best for our fatherland. We don’t play to
avoid injuries we always give our best.
“Madagascar are very good and it will be a tough game, but we
are not afraid of any country.”