AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Bonuses Approved, Payment Ongoing — NSC
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has said all outstanding financial entitlements of Super Eagles players and officials have been resolved, following reports of discontent within the camp ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 clash with Algeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dikko’s comments came after claims that players were threatening to boycott training and the team’s trip to Marrakech for Saturday’s match.
Dikko told NAN that President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 2025, bringing alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the players.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on Nov. 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko said.
He explained that while approval and processing were different stages, the players had been assured that the funds had already been approved and were being released.
“Approving the money is one thing, processing it is another, but the players know the funds have been approved,” he added.
The NSC Director-General said meetings were held with the NFF, the team captain, co-captain and senior players to agree on tournament bonuses.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.
Dikko noted that the players understood their incentives and accepted the terms before the tournament began.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” he stated.
According to him, the only request for cash payment was for daily allowances, which 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 approved and were currently undergoing processing for payment.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he assured.
Dikko said the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were involved to ensure timely disbursement.
“The Ministry of Finance and CBN are on this, so everything will come on time,” he said.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles have won all their matches so far, scoring 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will face Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a semi-final place and are expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday, ahead of the encounter at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday by 5 p.m.
(NAN)
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
