Members of the Super Eagles have warned that they will refuse to travel to Marrakech for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations match against Algeria unless all outstanding winning bonuses owed to them by the Nigeria Football Federation are fully settled.
A highly placed source within the team disclosed to newsmen that both players and officials are still waiting to receive bonus payments accrued during the ongoing tournament.
According to the source, the bonuses tied to victories against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Mozambique have not yet been paid, despite repeated expectations that the matter would be resolved.
Although the players remain focused on competing and delivering results for the country, they have reportedly drawn a clear line regarding their entitlements. The source explained that the squad has agreed not to resume training or embark on the trip to Marrakech for the next fixture until the outstanding payments are addressed by the federation.
This development is not the first time financial issues have strained relations between the national team and football authorities. In November, the Super Eagles had similarly threatened to boycott their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Gabon, citing unpaid allowances and bonuses.
At the time, the situation escalated to the point where the team halted training activities. In a joint statement issued by both players and officials, the squad explained their position, saying, “The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game with Gabon.”
The renewed tension highlights persistent concerns over player welfare and financial commitments within Nigerian football, even as the team continues to push for success on the continental stage.
What you should know
The Super Eagles’ latest stance reflects ongoing challenges surrounding unpaid bonuses and allowances in Nigerian football.
Despite their commitment to representing the country at major tournaments, players have repeatedly raised concerns about delayed or unpaid entitlements. The current warning ahead of the AFCON clash with Algeria echoes similar protests in the past, including threats to boycott World Cup qualifiers.
These disputes underline the importance of timely financial management by the NFF, as unresolved issues risk disrupting preparations, team morale and Nigeria’s performance in crucial international competitions.
