Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s group opponents at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Canada are enmeshed in pay dispute ahead of the tournament.
The players have insisted that the situation be settled before they head out for the tournament which runs between July 20 and August 20.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Super Falcons will campaign in Group B against Canada, New Zealand and Republic of Ireland.
Christine Sinclair, who holds the international goalscoring record for the Canadians, told the Canadian Press that the team wants the issue settled before a pre-tournament camp on June 28.
“We’re not at a point where we’re not getting on a plane, but time’s coming where we want it done so as players we’re not having to deal with it while we’re trying to prepare,” Sinclair, told the Canadian Press.
“But us as a women’s team have flat out told the CSA (Canada Soccer Association) that we need a deal in place for at least the World Cup and this year before we head down there.
“I think it will happen. Will it be a long-term deal? No. But something will be done before the World Cup starts.”
The demand is the latest salvo in a bitter dispute that has seen the women’s team threaten job action.
During the SheBelieves Cup in the United States in February the Canadian women sat out a practice and had threatened to boycott the four-team tournament.
They played under protest but vowed future boycotts if their demands over pay equity were not met.
The team has been without a collective bargaining agreement since 2021 but have agreed to a new deal in principal although several issues remain unresolved.
Canadia are the Olympic champions. The seventh ranked Canadians open against Nigeria on July 21 in Melbourne.
The kickoff time is 4.30am Nigerian time.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
