The Chairman of Bayelsa United, Ebiki Timitimi has confirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to pay the club the N25m prize money after winning the Aiteo Cup last year.
In a statement signed by the club’s Head of media, Hananeel Jackson, Timitimi debunked reports that the club has refused to return the trophy due to the failure of the NFF to pay the prize money.
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It will be recalled that the Yenagoa-based Nigeria National League, NNL side won the 2021 Aiteo Cup on August 8, after defeating NPFL side, Nasarawa United via penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time.
Bayelsa United won the penalty shootout 4-3 to lift the trophy for the first time ever in their history at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement signed by the club’s Head of media, Hananeel Jackson, the club had written to the NFF to demand for the payment of the twenty five million naira money but the federation has failed to keep to its promise.
He noted that the team is focused on its quest to return to the elite division and does not want to be distracted with two games to go starting from Nnewi United this weekend and Cynosure FC of Abakaliki at home while thanking Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for unending support given to the team, assuring them of NPFL return.
It would be recalled that Kano Pillars also complained for several years that they were not paid the prize money for the cup competition organised by the NFF.