The World Cup qualifying matches in Africa is drawing quite frenzy more so as the recent CAF cup championships have shown that there are no identifiable minnows on the continent’s football shelves anymore.
Such is the state bordering on the desperate even as it affects reigning African champions, Nigeria, as they prepare for their match against Malawi. While Malawi is yet to etch its name as a serious contender in the continent, recent events and wisdom dictate that it could be foolish to take them for granted.
The Nigeria Football Federation has been dogged in the recent past about about having a statutory sum to pay her players as win bonuses which reflect the sign of the times. This has led to some quarters saying that $2000 would be it until the NFF chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, pronounced the sum of $5000 as win bonus for the Super Eagles in their match against Malawi in Calabar come Saturday.
Maigari told sports writers at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday that the Eagles bonus row was being over-flogged and added that a Ministerial committee has been set up to investigate the matter with a view to putting the matter at rest finallyHe, however, pointed out that pending the reportof the committee, the football house would be concerned with paying the Eagles $5000.
“You know recently, the Minister set up a panel to investigate, advice and come up with a resolution on the bonus row.
“So let us give them the benefit of doubt to work. But as far as the NFF is concerned, we are paying our normal five thousand dollars winning bonus,” Maigari said.
The Super Eagles will play host to the Flames of Malawi in a return-leg of the 2014 FIFA World cup qualifier scheduled to take place in Calabar.
The first leg had ended 1:1 in Blantyre, Malawi, in June.
Security in place
Meanwhile, the NFF said Calabar is safe for the encounter considering the level of security it had put on ground for the game.
“Calabar is a safe ground where several decisive matches have been played and I can assure you that there is a powerful team of securitymen on ground.
“Now, we are ready to receive our Malawian counterparts and also ready to ensure that there is a hitch-free match,” he said.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) had in August requested from FIFA a change of venue for the World Cup qualifier for security reasons.
But the NFF, following a directive from FIFA, sent a detailed security plan for the match, giving security assurances.
