Chris Maduewesi
Member
According to The Punch newspaper,the Federal Government delegation led by the Senate President,David Mark met with the team in Brazil and wanted to hear them speak on their grievances with the football hierarchy in the country.
It is understood that the players told him(Mark)that they want the NFF to give them $2million out of the $8million that FIFA paid to Nigeria for the World Cup.
Nigeria's preparations for the World Cup was almost thwarted after the players intially protested on that grounds and threatened to down tools if their demands were not met.
It took the intervention of the government officials before a temporary peace deal was brokered.
Government officials met the Super Eagles in Sao Paulo before they departed for Curitiba where they played Iran in Nigeria's first game at the World Cup.
Even in the meeting with the Senate president,the players did not buck as they maintained their ground,with coach Stephen Keshi later apologizing on behalf of his players.
The National Sports Commission had to release a press statement denying that they abandoned the Super Eagles after their draw against Iran,obviously as the meeting did not go according as they had envisaged.