Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the football event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are hanging precariously on the balance after the team are threatening to boycott Saturday’s opening U23 AFCON match against Cote d’Ivoire over pay.
A top source told SCORENigeria that the team have resolved not to play the opening game in Cairo, Egypt, if the NFF failed to clear their unpaid bonuses and allowances.
We first reported that the team are unhappy and spoiling for a showdown with the NFF as they are yet to receive any camp allowance.
The NFF have also not paid them bonuses for the home wins over Libya and Sudan in the qualifiers.
Added to this is that coach Imama Amapakabo has not received any salary since he took over the team.
This should not come as a surprise as it has now been revealed that his U17 counterpart, Manu Garba, has not been paid salary for 10 months by the NFF.
Nigeria are the defending U23 AFCON champions.
Thy begin their title defence Saturday afternoon against Cote d’Ivoire.
The competition will produce three African flag bearers for next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
