Following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have disbursed $260,000 to all 24 countries who have qualified for the expanded 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed for Egypt in the summer, busybuddiesng.com has gathered reliable information that the said money has not been paid to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The news, which has been circulating on online media since Wednesday, comes in the light of corruption allegations leveled against the current administration of the NFF led by Amaju Pinnick especially with regards to embezzlement of funds disbursed by FIFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports which the President has vehemently denied.
According to different sources, the aim of the advance payment is to help federations or associations with smaller budgets to meet the expenses of their preliminary preparations.
However, CAF will deduct the money from the premiums to be received by each country at the end of the tournament.
Busy Buddies sources confirm that the money has not been remitted to the NFF coffers and are yet to receive any information as regards any such payment.
The premiums ranges between $4.5 million for the eventual champions and $475,000 for the teams that will be eliminated at the group stage.
Other reports also indicate that the payment to the participating teams was approved by the CAF Executive Council before the draw for the continental showpiece in Cairo about a fortnight ago.
