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NFF DENIES OWING STRIKING SUPER FALCONS
Following the report of Super Falcons refusing to leave their hotel rooms after their elimination from the on-going Women’s World Cup in France, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied owing the players.
In a media release, the NFF wrote that it did not owe the players as the reports claimed.
“We have paid the players and officials the entitlements due them for the tournament and other outstanding bonuses and allowances were settled before the team arrived at the World Cup finals,” Shehu Dikko, NFF 2nd Vice President, told thenff.com.
The Federation went further to clarify in detail as follows:
“The monies for the Super Falcons’ preparation and participation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France (and indeed the Super Eagles’ preparation and participation in the AFCON 2019in Egypt) were recently approved by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).
“But the release of the funds is still being processing by the Federal Ministry of Finance and will be concluded soonest.
“Inspite of the delay in release of funds, the NFF made huge sacrifices including borrowing to ensure it gave the Falcons the very best of preparation for the World Cup in France with about 15 test games, with camps/games held in China, Cyprus, Spain, CIV, and Austria (a fact that even the team duly appreciated and agreed it was the best-ever for any Nigerian team going to the Women’s World Cup and even wrote to thank the NFF).
“ The NFF is indeed encouraged by results achieved by the Super Falcons in France, being the first time the team qualified to the knockout rounds in the last 20 years with credible performance against some of the world’s best teams.
“The NFF duly ensured it addressed all the issues raised by the team captain Desire Oparanozie via an email prior to the team resuming in camp in Austria and used it best efforts, to settle all the players’ claims and bonuses to so as to provide an enabling platform for the players to perform without any distractions in France for the World Cup.
“To this end, payments made to the players at the pre-World Cup camp in Austria and France (World Cup proper) are set out below:
a) 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier: Nigeria Vs Senegal (Home Match) played in Abuja – Win bonus of N500,000 paid to each player.
b) 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier: Nigeria Vs Gambia (Home Match) played in Lagos – Win bonus of N500,000 paid to each player.
c) Camp and Friendly matches played in Spain – 7 days’ daily allowance of $700 paid to each player.
c) WAFU Cup Tournament (staged in Cote d’Ivoire): Allowance of $500 paid to each player.
d) Pre-World Cup camp in Austria: 14 days’ daily allowance $1,400 paid to each player.
e) Refund made to players on visa procurement, train, bus and airport taxi from their different bases in Europe to the camp in Austria.
f) $4,400 paid to each player, being win bonus for the World Cup match against Korea Republic ($3,000) and 14 days’ daily allowance for the World Cup ($1,400).
“This was paid direct to each of the players’ domiciliary accounts by NFF fund managers, Financial Derivatives Company and by Friday most of the players had started receiving alerts depending on their banks.
“Therefore, based on the foregoing facts, as at the time the Super Falcons set out to play Germany on Saturday 22nd June, the NFF had in spite of the challenges, ensured it met all its obligations to the players.
“After the team’s exit from the tournament due to defeat by Germany, the only money the NFF has to pay the players is the extra 5 days’ daily allowance of $500 to each player for the days spent from the end of group stage to the day they played Germany in Grenoble.
“ Daily allowance is usually paid only when the days are known, as we could have defeated Germany and thus stayed more days in the tournament. Accordingly, these payments will be resolved within the next business days upon return of the team to Nigeria.
“After the loss to Germany, the players raised the issue of their share of the prize money expected from FIFA.
“For qualifying to the Round of 16, the NFF is entitled to receive $1million from FIFA (being $750k qualification bonus and $250k for exiting at Round of 16.)
“The NFF duly reconfirmed to the team that they would be entitled to get 30% share of the fund from FIFA just like the men’s teams get (Super Eagles for World Cup/AFCON and Eagles B for CHAN) and were informed that these funds would only be available to NFF post-World Cup. The issue of sharing formula with the team was as clarified and the matter was closed.
“Amazingly, the players later came to inform the NFF officials with the team that they heard that Cameroon and England teams have already been paid their share of participation fees by their Federations, and thus demand NFF paid them.
“They were informed that, if indeed Cameroon and England paid their players it was certainly not from FIFA money but other sources and there are 22 other countries that have not paid as well.
“The NFF further reminded the players that, during the AWCON 2018 in Ghana the NFF decided to double their match bonuses as a motivation for them to win the trophy and other countries didn’t use that as benchmark to demand the same from their Federations.
“The entire issue was conclusively resolved throughout the night and the team duly left their hotel by morning enroute to Nigeria or to different holiday destinations.
“In truth, the NFF is very much bewildered as to why the Super Falcons chose to embark on this route. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari took time out of his busy schedule on Saturday to call the team prior to the match against Germany to wish them luck and assure them of Government support at all times.
“It is our view that whatever issues they had, they should have respected the President as a person and Nigeria as an entity and resolve to have their issues, if any, settled back home.”
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.
Ecuador will look to continue their strong record against Concacaf opposition when they face Curaçao in a Group E encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The South Americans enter the match having won their last two World Cup meetings with teams from the Concacaf region and will be eager to maintain that trend as they chase a place in the knockout rounds.
For Curaçao, however, the fixture represents an opportunity to create history.
The Caribbean nation is one of the tournament’s debutants and is still searching for its first World Cup victory. After suffering a heavy defeat to Germany in their opening match, Curaçao will be desperate to demonstrate the resilience and determination that earned them a place at the expanded 48-team tournament.
A victory would make them the first of the World Cup 2026 newcomers to register a win and would provide a significant boost to their qualification hopes.
Ecuador are expected to rely on their experience at this level, but they know underestimating Curaçao could prove costly. The underdogs have already shown flashes of attacking quality despite their difficult introduction against Germany.
As the group stage begins to take shape, both teams understand the importance of securing points. Ecuador are chasing progression, while Curaçao are chasing history.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.
As Morocco edge closer to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026, captain Achraf Hakimi finds himself at the centre of two parallel narratives; one being football excellence and the other by legal proceedings that continue to cast a shadow over his career.
On the pitch, the 27-year-old has never appeared more influential.
Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Scotland not only moved the Atlas Lions within touching distance of the Round of 32, it also elevated Hakimi into the record books as the African player with the most FIFA World Cup appearances.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender made his 12th World Cup appearance, surpassing the previous mark jointly held by Cameroonian legend François Omam-Biyik and Ghana’s all-time leading scorer Asamoah Gyan.
It is a remarkable achievement for a player who made his World Cup debut as a teenager in Russia in 2018 and has since become one of the most recognisable faces of African football.
For Hakimi, the record is another milestone in a career already decorated with major club honours and individual accolades, including the African Footballer of the Year award. It also reinforces his status as one of the driving forces behind Morocco’s rise as a global football power.
His influence was most vividly illustrated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Hakimi’s composure, leadership and attacking flair helped transform the Atlas Lions into one of the competition’s most compelling stories.
Four years later, he remains the heartbeat of a Moroccan side determined to prove that their success in Qatar was no one-off achievement.
The signs have been encouraging. Morocco opened their campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil before defeating Scotland to move within a point of qualification. A draw against Haiti in their final group match would be enough to secure passage to the knockout rounds.
Yet while Hakimi’s football achievements continue to accumulate, events away from the game have ensured that public attention remains divided.
The defender is facing the prospect of a criminal trial in France following allegations of rape first reported in 2023. Hakimi has consistently denied wrongdoing and has sought to challenge the legal process through the courts.
French media reported this week that an appeals court rejected a challenge to his referral to criminal court, clearing the way for a future trial.
Responding publicly, Hakimi reiterated his innocence and welcomed the opportunity to present his version of events.
“Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth,” he wrote on social media platform X.
“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I’ll be able to speak out.”
The legal proceedings remain ongoing, and no trial date has been announced.
For now, Morocco’s captain appears determined to keep his focus on football.
That ability to compartmentalise challenges has become a defining characteristic of elite athletes, particularly those operating under intense global scrutiny. With millions watching every move, Hakimi has continued to perform at the highest level for both club and country.
His record-breaking appearance against Scotland demonstrated once again why he remains indispensable to Morocco’s ambitions. Whether surging down the flank, organising teammates or inspiring supporters, Hakimi has become the symbol of a generation that has redefined expectations for African football.
As the World Cup enters its decisive phase, Morocco’s hopes of another deep run rest heavily on the shoulders of their captain.
The legal questions surrounding Hakimi will ultimately be settled in court. On the field, however, his contribution to Moroccan football is already firmly established.
And as the Atlas Lions pursue another place in World Cup history, their captain continues to add chapters to a legacy that has made him one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers.
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Iran Rally Twice to Earn Draw Against New Zealand Amid Charged Atmosphere in Los Angeles
Iran came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, with the match unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions surrounding Tehran and a tentative agreement aimed at ending the recent U.S.-Iran conflict.
According to Reuters, the atmosphere inside and outside the stadium reflected the complex emotions surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament. Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora community, saw hundreds of protesters gather before kickoff, many carrying Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag and anti-government signs.
On the pitch, New Zealand made a bright start and took the lead when Elijah Just volleyed home from close range after being picked out by captain Chris Wood. The goal sparked celebrations among some anti-government supporters, while others had earlier booed Iran’s national anthem before the match.
However, the majority of the crowd of more than 70,000 appeared to back Team Melli, repeatedly chanting “Iran, Iran” and erupting in celebration when veteran defender Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 33rd minute.
Rezaeian, one of several Iranian players whose domestic campaigns were disrupted after the suspension of the country’s league earlier this year, reacted quickest to a blocked effort and slotted the rebound past the advancing New Zealand goalkeeper.
The All Whites restored their advantage shortly after halftime through another combination between Wood and Just. Wood threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Iranian defence and just finished emphatically to score his second goal of the match.
Iran again found a response, this time through Mohammad Mohebbi. The forward met Rezaeian’s pinpoint cross with a powerful header that struck the far post before bouncing into the net to level the score at 2-2.
Iran pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages and created the better opportunities, but New Zealand held firm to claim a valuable point.
“I love my mom and dad. They always pray for me in difficult times, so this is for them,” Rezaeian said after the match.
“And also for my people in Iran.”
The result leaves Group G finely balanced after Belgium and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day, meaning all four teams sit on one point after their opening matches.
For New Zealand, the draw extended their wait for a first World Cup victory. The All Whites, appearing in their third finals tournament, have now gone seven World Cup matches without a win.
“We’re disappointed not to win,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.
“When you’re leading twice in a game, you come away with that what if. We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game at the World Cup, and we couldn’t quite do that today.
“But we’re in the World Cup, we didn’t lose, we stayed in the game, scored goals and created chances, so it was a really strong performance, I’m really proud of it.”
Reuters reported that divisions among Iranian-American supporters were evident throughout the day. Some fans said attending the match could be interpreted as support for Tehran’s government, while others insisted they were there solely to support the national team and its players.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei also highlighted the challenges his squad has faced during the tournament. After relocating their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, the team has been required to travel internationally for each group-stage match.
Ghalenoei complained that several federation officials and members of the coaching staff had been unable to enter the United States after visa applications were rejected.
“I think perhaps our team is the most oppressed one in the World Cup,” he said through a translator.
Despite those difficulties, the coach praised the support his side received in Los Angeles.
“It was a very good atmosphere,” he said.
“It was very positive. I was very happy with the supporters and the fans who were supporting the Iranian players. I think that was a very great achievement.”
Iran will return to Los Angeles to face Belgium in their next Group G fixture, while New Zealand will travel to Vancouver to take on Egypt as the battle for qualification to the knockout stages intensifies.
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