The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has assured that all financial entitlements owed to Super Eagles players and officials have been settled.
Dikko’s clarification follows reports suggesting that some players were considering boycotting training and travel arrangements for Saturday’s AFCON 2025 quarter-final match against Algeria in Marrakech over unpaid allowances.
He explained that President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, noting that funding issues had been fully addressed from the government’s end.
According to him, while approval and processing of funds are separate stages, players have been informed that all monies have been approved and are currently being released.
Dikko disclosed that the NSC held extensive meetings with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team captain, co-captain and other senior players, during which tournament bonuses were discussed and agreed upon.
He said a clear understanding was reached on players’ entitlements at every stage of the competition, up to the final, and that the players accepted the terms before the tournament began.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and the bonuses attached to each stage of the competition,” he stated.
The NSC chairman added that the only request made for cash payments was for daily allowances, which he confirmed had already been paid.
He further revealed that match bonuses had been approved and were currently undergoing payment processing, assuring that the funds would be released without delay.
Dikko said the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were actively involved in ensuring the timely disbursement of all approved payments.
The Super Eagles have enjoyed an impressive AFCON 2025 campaign so far, winning all their matches and scoring 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria is set to face Algeria’s Desert Foxes in a crucial encounter for a semi-final place, with the team expected to travel from Fès to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s match at the Stade de Marrakech, scheduled for 5 p.m.