ABUJA, December 04 -- Every member of Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana stands to make US$49,000 if the team wins the 26th edition of the biennial competition, scheduled for Ghana 20 January to 10 February 2008, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has announced.
The huge windfall for the Super Eagles players was agreed at a meeting between the NFA officials and key members of the team as well as German coach Berti Vogts in England at the weekend.
According to details obtained by PANA, each player will get US$3,000 as appearance fee; US$15,000 for reaching the quarter finals; US$7,000 for victory in the
quarter finals; US$9,000 for victory in the semi finals and US$15,000 for victory in the final.
It was also agreed that in the event that the team fails to win the competition , each player will get US$5,000 for finishing third and US$7,500 for second place.
''It was an excellent session and we all valued the understanding we were able to reach on all issues,'' said Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Secretary-General of the NFA.
On his part, NFA Chairman Sani Lulu commended the players for ''their readiness to serve their fatherland''
Analysts said the early resolution of the money issue, which has been blamed f or the team's poor outings in previous tournaments, would help spur the team to a good performance in Ghana.
Earlier, Super Eagles' Captain Nwankwo Kanu had said he and his colleagues had resolved to do their best for the country, starting from the Nations Cup, whether they are paid or not.
"I have spoken to most of the players, and we have all agreed that we are tired of this issue of money money all the time," Kanu stated told a local football website.
"We have decided that if they want they can pay us, if they don't want to pay us its okay, but we will come to the Nations Cup and do our best for the country ,'' the star striker added.
Nigeria will play alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Benin in the preliminary group B of the Nations Cup.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign 21 January against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in Sekondi.
Vogts is expected to name his team for the tournament on arrival in Nigeria next week. -