The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not yet credited Bayelsa United’s account with the #25 million prize money for winning the 2021 Aiteo Cup, the club has announced.

The 2021 Aiteo Cup was won by the Nigeria National League, NNL team from Yenagoa on August 8 after they defeated Nasarawa United of the National Premier Football League (NPFL) 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 deadlock at the end of extra time at the Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, Edo State.

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While participating in a Yenagoa-based sports program, the club’s chairman, Ebiki Timitimi, explained:

“The club have written to the apex football body in Nigeria to demand payment of the Twenty-Five Million Naira prize money, yet the NFF has failed to keep to their promise after one year for both teams Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens.”

Kano Pillars also protested for a while that they hadn’t received their share of the prize money from the NFF’s cup competition.

Timitimi also denied rumors that the Prosperity Boys had refused to hand over the trophy they won last year since the NFF has not paid its share of the Aiteo Cup loot.

He advised the spreaders of false information to always check the details with the club before making them available to the general public.

He stated that “the club has not yet received any official request requesting the trophy’s return and labeling the claim as false.”

He said that with two games left, starting with Nnewi United this weekend and Cynosure FC of Abakaliki at home, the squad is focused on its desire to return to the premier level and does not want to be sidetracked.

He assured them of the NPFL’s comeback and praised Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for their unwavering support of the team.