₦airaland Forum

Glory-seeking Super Eagles are at it again with threats from the players not to train today or even leave their hotel rooms in Fes to board bus to Marrakech, venue of their AFCON 2025 quarterfinal clash with Algeria on Saturday.

However, while the social media was abuzz with the news of another bonus strike looming, THISDAY learnt from a top sport official that the threat was an unnecessary distraction for the team.

“I don’t know what all these noise is all about. Why will Super Eagles go on another needless striker after they have agreed that they will earn their bonuses in dollars in their domiciliary accounts anytime from now?” Observed the top sports official on Wednesday evening.

Although the players and officials are yet to get paid for the three wins in the group stage plus the Round of 16 victory, “the money will hit their accounts from the Central Bank. We have no control over that since we have done the needful for the money to be paid to them,”revealed the official who would not want his name in print.

He said that if only Eagles had accepted to be paid in Naira, they would have long collected the bonuses. “ But we know majority of the players do not live in Nigeria. This was why we had to agree for the money to be paid into their Domiciliary accounts. The money for all group matches against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda was ready since last week. The team’s secretary informed the players and asked if they will want the monies paid directly into their Naira account as this monies were paid in the Nigeria currency but the players insisted that they want the money paid in dollars. This was what brought the Central Bank into the picture,” he noted.

Last month in Morocco, the Super Eagles stayed away from training ahead of a CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs clash against Gabon to protest outstanding bonuses and allowances. Although they defeated Gabon, they lost out in penalty shootouts to DR Congo in the final qualification playoffs game .

Now, with the AFCON 2025 quarter final ahead in barely 48 hours, another training is about to be aborted through needless agitation.

According to the bonus layout agreed with the team, each Super Eagles player stands to get $12,500 each for their second round victory against Mozambique; another $15,000 if they beat Algeria in the quarter final; a graduated sum of $17,500 is on the line for each player to pick up for a semi final victory and $20,000 each if they lift the trophy.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance are working to ensure the timely disbursement of bonuses and other financial entitlements owed to the Super Eagles.

Dikko made the disclosure amid reports that players had threatened to boycott training and decline travel arrangements ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 match against Algeria in Marrakech.

The Super Eagles qualified for the quarter-final after beating Mozambique 4-0 in the Round of 16.

What the NSC boss is saying
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dikko said President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ entire AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, aligning all stakeholders, including the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the players.

“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on November 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko said.

He clarified that while approvals had been granted, the release of funds involved additional processing stages.

“Approving the money is one thing, processing it is another, but the players know the funds have been approved,” he added.

CBN, Finance Ministry handling disbursement
Dikko assured that the remaining payments were already in motion, with the Ministry of Finance and the CBN actively coordinating the disbursement process.

“The Ministry of Finance and CBN are on this, so everything will come on time,” he said.

The NSC Chairman said extensive consultations were held with the NFF, team captain, co-captain and senior players to agree on bonuses payable through the tournament.

“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.

According to him, the players accepted the agreed incentive structure before the competition commenced.

“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” Dikko stated.

Allowances settled, bonuses being processed
Dikko noted that only daily allowances were requested in cash, and those payments had already been settled.

“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted and made available,” he said.

He added that match bonuses had been fully approved and were currently undergoing payment processing.

“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he assured.

Super Eagles set for Algeria clash
The Super Eagles have recorded an impressive run at AFCON 2025, winning all their matches so far and scoring 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals.

Nigeria will face Algeria’s Desert Foxes in a crucial encounter for a semi-final spot on Saturday.

The team is expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday, ahead of the high-profile clash scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Stade de Marrakech.

jmoore:
Nigeria is a funny country. They didn't qualify for world cup and all the NFF officials remained in their positions. None resigned. Same corrupt people in that NFF will still ruin everything.

Kukutente23:
See excuse
These clowns at NFA are not serious at all
That NFA should be disbanded

DeltaBachelor:
This government will never learn. Pay them what you owe them na

CodeTemplarr:
...by who? FIFA OR FG?

More characters needed

Chibuzoc:
Nigerian footballers rejecting naira interesting times

DeclanR:
Are they resident in Nigeria?

Chibuzoc:
Nigerian footballers rejecting naira interesting times

jmoore:
Nigeria is a funny country. They didn't qualify for world cup and all the NFF officials remained in their positions. None resigned. Same corrupt people in that NFF will still ruin everything.

“I don’t know what all these noise is all about. Why will Super Eagles go on another needless striker after they have agreed that they will earn their bonuses in dollars in their domiciliary accounts anytime from now?” Observed the top sports official on Wednesday evening.

Although the players and officials are yet to get paid for the three wins in the group stage plus the Round of 16 victory, “the money will hit their accounts from the Central Bank. We have no control over that since we have done the needful for the money to be paid to them,”revealed the official who would not want his name in print.

He said that if only Eagles had accepted to be paid in Naira, they would have long collected the bonuses. “ But we know majority of the players do not live in Nigeria. This was why we had to agree for the money to be paid into their Domiciliary accounts. The money for all group matches against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda was ready since last week. The team’s secretary informed the players and asked if they will want the monies paid directly into their Naira account as this monies were paid in the Nigeria currency but the players insisted that they want the money paid in dollars. This was what brought the Central Bank into the picture,” he noted.

ravensckar:
What were you expecting before? We've come to adopt FAILURE as a way of life in this country.

Even in schools, children no longer repeat when they fail. Politicians still get voted in for second term even if they fail in their first term.

You see this country? It's rotten to the core!

“I don’t know what all these noise is all about. Why will Super Eagles go on another needless striker after they have agreed that they will earn their bonuses in dollars in their domiciliary accounts anytime from now?” Observed the top sports official on Wednesday evening.

Although the players and officials are yet to get paid for the three wins in the group stage plus the Round of 16 victory, “the money will hit their accounts from the Central Bank. We have no control over that since we have done the needful for the money to be paid to them,”revealed the official who would not want his name in print.

He said that if only Eagles had accepted to be paid in Naira, they would have long collected the bonuses. “ But we know majority of the players do not live in Nigeria. This was why we had to agree for the money to be paid into their Domiciliary accounts. The money for all group matches against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda was ready since last week. The team’s secretary informed the players and asked if they will want the monies paid directly into their Naira account as this monies were paid in the Nigeria currency but the players insisted that they want the money paid in dollars. This was what brought the Central Bank into the picture,” he noted

Kukutente23:
You believe that nonsense
Who pays match bonuses in naira before?
Is CAF giving Nigeria match bonuses in naira