The delegation travelling to Costa Rica landed on Thursday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where they were welcomed by Toyin Ibitoye, a former Super Eagles media officer and representative of the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, and Muhammad Sanusi, the NFF's general secretary.
On Wednesday, pictures of the team's players and officials dozing off on an airport floor in Istanbul, Turkey, went viral, to the absolute dismay of Nigerians.
The NFF quickly provided an explanation of the team's issues, but many people barely accepted their justifications because it appeared like yet another round of justifications.
Sanusi chatted with the Falconets' players and officials before they departed, who were weary and jaded from their protracted, quickly forgotten journey.
When will the NFF pay Falconets’ match bonuses?
“It (money) was approved for Super Falcons. It’s at the ministry being processed that we should pay you from there. We want to assure you that the same time the Super Falcons are going to be paid, you’re also going to be paid your bonuses (competition bonuses).”We just want you to know that Nigerians appreciated all what you did but we are saddened by the fact that on your way back, you had to sleep at the airport. It is because of reasons beyond our control. The arrangement was done by FIFA and you knew what happened better than us.
“(The Minister) sent something. He said the coach and the 21 players,” Sanusi said.
Ibitoye representing Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development said; “The honourable Minister from his pocket as he was travelling said Toyin go and represent me at the airport. He said don’t go empty handed, even if it’s the head coach and the players, give them something.”
Recall that the NFF paid the Falconets $50 training allowance instead of $100 and is yet to explain why it cut the expected allowance by half.