By Ben Efe

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF president, Aminu Maigari refused to put a finger on the amount that will be paid the Super Eagles as match bonus as the team prepares to face Ethiopia in the crucial two-legged World Cup qualifier.

Maigari who was speaking in Abuja stated that the bonus issue was out of the table of the NFF as it was now a matter for the sports minister, Bolaji Abdulahi to resolve having set up a ministerial committee to look into the bonus palaver that almost marred the Super Eagles participation at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June in Brazil.

After their World Cup qualifier against Namibia the players had embarked on a sit-tight action in their hotel rooms rather than fly on schedule to Brazil. They had demanded the payment of their 10,000 dollar wining bonus even as the NFF was willing to pay 5,000 dollars.

“It will appear improper for me to comment on the issue of match bonus when the report of the committee is still lying on the minister’s table,” Maigari declared.

He added that the focus was on how the Eagles will qualify for the World Cup. The first leg of the encounter will come on October 13 in Addis Ababa. Maigari said the NFF was doing everything to make the Eagles have a good result in Ethiopia and make their qualification good for the 2014 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Maigari punctuated reports that the Presidency has made arrangements for chartered flights in and out of Ethiopia.

“I have not come across such information, even though I will thank President Jonathan for such magnanimity. I know he is concerned about the goals of Nigerian football. So, if that assurance of two chartered planes carrying Nigerians to Addis Ababa is true, then it is fine,” he said.