Nigeria’s Super Eagles came perilously close to a major distraction ahead of their highly anticipated AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash against Algeria, as reports emerged of players and coaching staff threatening to boycott training and travel over unpaid win bonuses.
The dispute, which erupted in their Fez training base, centered on outstanding match bonuses from four victories: group-stage wins over Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, plus a commanding 4-0 Round of 16 triumph against Mozambique.
These results have positioned Nigeria as one of the tournament’s most dominant sides, boasting 12 goals scored — the highest tally so far — and an unbeaten run under coach Eric Chelle.
Journalists on the ground, including respected BBC correspondent Oluwashina Okeleji, first broke the story, revealing that the squad had resolved to skip training sessions and refuse travel to Marrakech unless payments were settled.
The threat echoed a similar incident in late 2025, when unpaid allowances contributed to a training boycott ahead of World Cup qualifiers — an episode that ended in Nigeria’s elimination.
In response, the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko, moved swiftly to clarify the situation.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily and to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dikko attributed the delay to bureaucratic processes rather than any lack of commitment.
“Let me give you the timelines of how these issues work. First and foremost, I must tell you that Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, duly approved the special budget for the AFCON as far back as November 14, 2025,” Dikko explained.
“The money has been released and is being processed.”
He emphasized that the bonus structure had been clearly communicated to the players and officials beforehand: payments are tournament-based (tied to progression stages) rather than per individual match win, a detail the government insisted the team was fully aware of.
Dikko further noted that daily allowances had already been paid in cash as previously agreed, while the remaining match bonuses were undergoing final processing through the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for conversion into foreign currency and transfer to players’ domiciliary accounts.
By Thursday afternoon, the crisis appeared resolved.
Multiple reports confirmed that the Super Eagles had departed Fez for Marrakech, with government assurances that outstanding payments would reflect “starting today or tomorrow” — well before the Saturday, January 10 kick-off at Stade de Marrakech (5:00 p.m. local time).
Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite reinforced this, stating the process had been fast-tracked to prioritize the team’s welfare as they chase Nigeria’s fourth AFCON title (last won in 2013).
The episode, however, has reignited public frustration.
Critics, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, described the situation as a “national embarrassment,” pointing to recurring payment delays that risk undermining team morale at critical moments.
Social media reactions ranged from sarcasm about bureaucratic inefficiencies to calls for systemic reform in sports funding.
Despite the off-field turbulence, the Super Eagles remain focused on the task ahead: a rematch against Algeria, reminiscent of the dramatic 2019 semi-final.
With stars like Victor Osimhen (brace against Mozambique) and Ademola Lookman in top form, Nigeria enters as favorites — provided the bonus saga doesn’t leave lingering scars.
As one Nigerian fan summed it up online: “Win the cup first, settle the wahala later.”
The quarter-final winner advances to face either Morocco or Cameroon in the semi-finals, with the final set for January 18 in Rabat.
For now, the Eagles are airborne — both literally and figuratively — as they aim to soar toward continental glory.
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