Tensions have emerged around the Nigerian national team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) over unpaid match bonuses, with reports suggesting players and coaching staff threatened to boycott training and travel if payments were not settled.
BBC Sport writer Olúwashínà Okeleji reported on X on Wednesday that the Super Eagles have yet to receive win bonuses for four matches played in the tournament against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique.
While the squad remained focused on the competition, Okeleji added that the team could refuse to train or travel to Marrakech on Thursday unless the issue was resolved.
Social media quickly erupted with reactions from fans expressing frustration at what they described as recurring administrative failures by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
#WasikeAbdu noted that the quarter-final clash against Algeria in Marrakech could be affected by the dispute, while #iampoddi lamented, “Why do we self-sabotage like this? At this point, honestly, my heart is no longer in the game.”
Others drew parallels with past incidents, highlighting how such disputes have impacted performance. #Nemelum wrote, “This is exactly what happened against DRC.
They boycotted training before the match, and we eventually lost. Why must the NFF be forced to act before doing their job?” #heisfab added, “We face Algeria next, a serious opponent, and this is happening. We are not a serious football federation.”
However, an unnamed NFF official reassured that there was no looming crisis, confirming that bonus payments were in process.
“The monies have been processed from CBN to individual banks.
The players and officials will receive all their bonuses when the process is completed,” the official told accredited FIFA & CAF photo-journalist Adepoju Samuel.
Pending resolution, Nigeria’s quarter-final clash against Algeria is set to proceed in Marrakech.
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