Nigerian footballers get paid for their services, they sacrifice nothing

By Colin Udoh

We are all here now as players are going on strike to receive bonuses, and all of us ordinary citizens are joining them in the fight to get paid.

The Super Eagles are on $10k per win. Their two wins so far means they are already $20K to the good and counting.

The Super Falcons are in line to share a $300 000 pot by the time FIFA pays the participation fee in September. This is in addition to the $4k each they received from their lone win against Korea.

Not to mention the $10K bonuses they received during the AWCON.

I say all this because tomorrow something will happen and we will hear folks saying “after all the sacrifice we made for this country, now we have been abandoned.”

Sacrifice shege! We know those who sacrificed, and those days are so far back in our rear view we can’t even see them anymore.

These ones are doing a job and getting paid for it. Very handsomely, too. Their flight tickets get paid to come and play. They stay in luxury hotels funded by the taxpayer. Are driven around with security paid for by the tax payer. Get three square meals a day fit for royalty also on the taxpayer’s bill.

So please tell me again, which sacrifice?

How many ordinary folks are earning over N3.6m tax free? By the time the Super Eagles finish the Nations Cup, if they win it, imagine how much they would have made.

If they win the trophy, they will now receive additional gifts of money from government and different directions.

I am not saying they don’t deserve it. After all, basic economics teaches us that talent pays higher than even education. That is why musicians and sports stars earn more than regular Joe.

But we must stop this “sacrifice” narrative. It is just NOT TRUE!

There is no sacrifice here. Period