Naija Ratels defends salary payment plan, assures players of full settlement

Posted : 18 June 2026

Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership side, Naija Ratels FC, has defended its handling of players' salary arrears, insisting that the payment of outstanding wages is being executed through a structured arrangement agreed upon with players and coaches.

The club's President, Abdul Sule, said the management had remained open about the financial difficulties facing the team and had consistently engaged stakeholders while working towards clearing the backlog of unpaid salaries.

Sule explained that the club had already responded to concerns raised by the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) after receiving official correspondence on the issue in March 2026, stressing that efforts to settle outstanding payments were ongoing.

According to him, recent reports highlighting the salary situation failed to provide adequate context and appeared designed to damage the club's reputation.

The club attributed its financial strain partly to extensive squad rebuilding at the beginning of the season following the departure of several experienced players to rival clubs and teams in Europe.

Naija Ratels noted that significant resources were invested in recruiting replacements to ensure the team remained competitive throughout the campaign.

Despite suffering relegation before the end of the season, the club said it fulfilled all its league fixtures and continued paying match bonuses while implementing staggered salary payments for players and officials.

The management reiterated that all contractual agreements with players and coaches remain in force and pledged to honour every outstanding financial commitment as the club's financial position improves.

Naija Ratels also reaffirmed its dedication to the development of women's football in Nigeria, stating that its core objective of providing opportunities for young female footballers remains unchanged despite the challenges encountered during the season.

The club expressed confidence that it would overcome its current difficulties and continue contributing to the growth of the women's game in the country.

By addressing these internal structures and ensuring clear communication, the management aims to restore administrative stability as they prepare for life in the lower division. Resolving these outstanding liabilities will be crucial for rebuilding squad morale and safeguarding the institution's long-term competitive vision. The football community continues to monitor how effectively the club implements its recovery strategy ahead of the next campaign.

Naija Ratels defends salary payment plan, assures players of full settlement

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