Asisat Oshoala reveals father was unhappy with topless goal celebration as FIFA to pay prize money directly to players, officials snubbed
FIFA will pay Nigeria’s prize money at the 2023 Women’s World Cup directly to players as Nigerian officials snubbed in the payment process after failing to be responsible.
Nigeria striker, Asisat Oshoala has revealed her father was not pleased with her goal celebration in the win over Australia at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Barcelona forward scored a late winner in the Falcons’ 3-2 win over the tournament’s co-hosts in their second group game.
Upon scoring what was her second goal for Nigeria in the last two years, the 28-year-old pulled her jersey off and ran to celebrate on the pitch side.
Her celebration raised lots of eyebrows on social media and in the footballing world with her father also reacting to it.
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In a post on her Instagram page, the forward said her father was unhappy with her style.
“My dad is definitely not happy with my choice of celebration but then again, Life is a collection of MOMENTS,” she wrote in the caption.
Nigeria following their win over Australia also went ahead to draw with the Republic of Ireland sealing their place in the last 16.
FIFA to pay Nigeria prize money directly to players
The Secretary-General of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Ms Fatma Samoura has told Super Falcons of Nigeria that it is because of players like them that FIFA decided to pay prize money directly to players.
The FIFA secretary general who addressed the Super Falcons after their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their dressing room, noted that she knows “it has been tough” and that they had to “face the reality of Nigeria.”
She, however, added that for the first time, the prize money would be paid to them – players – because of such realities.
“It is because of you that for the first time in the history of FIFA, the FIFA women world cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,” Samoura said, amid cheers from the nine-time African champions.
A former Arsenal player and football pundit Ian Wright also sent a message to the Nigeria Football Federation after the Super Falcons earned a historic win over the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia on Thursday.
The Super Falcons will not be paid their tournament match bonuses, following an announcement from FIFA that all players would receive around £15,760 (AUS$30,000) for participation in the group stages of the tournament.
There were set to be separate payments following each of Nigeria’s group games – against Canada, Australia and Ireland – in addition to this.
The team had even threatened to go on strike for the first match of the competition against Canada who are also in the middle of a pay dispute with their own FA seeking equal pay and support with the men’s team.
After a stunning win against hosts Australia, Wright took to social media to send out his message of support for the Nigerians.
“Pay them!!!!!” he wrote, lending his voice to the country’s continuing dispute between players and governing body.
Ian Wright comment on prize money, view on Twitter
Nigeria will face England in the 1/16 on Monday morning.
