Bonus Row Rocks Super Eagles Camp Ahead of AFCON Quarterfinal Clash

 

Tension has hit the Super Eagles camp as players and officials have threatened to boycott training and refuse to travel to Marrakech for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal showdown against Algeria over unpaid match bonuses.

The players are owed bonuses for four matches played so far in the tournament — against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Mozambique. Sources say the outstanding payments have angered both players and members of the coaching crew, prompting the decision to suspend training and travel plans unless the matter is resolved promptly.

BBC football journalist, Shina Okeleji, confirmed the development on Wednesday via a post on X, stating that the squad remains focused on the competition but will not train or proceed to Marrakech if the promised payments are not made.

According to him, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had reached an agreement with the players and technical crew on bonuses before the start of the tournament, an agreement that has reportedly not been honoured.

“Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria have a strange habit of self-inflicted setbacks,” Okeleji noted, adding that officials had made clear financial commitments to the team ahead of the competition.

The Super Eagles qualified for the quarterfinals unbeaten, but preparations for Saturday’s clash against Algeria have been overshadowed by the bonus dispute. The match is scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time at the Stade de Marrakech, Ouahat Sidi Brahim.

This is not the first time financial issues have disrupted the national team. The Eagles previously boycotted training ahead of a 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon over unpaid bonuses before the crisis was eventually resolved.

The situation comes amid reports of internal tension following Nigeria’s last group game against Mozambique, where striker Victor Osimhen was seen confronting Ademola Lookman over a missed scoring opportunity. However, team coordinator Dayo Enebi dismissed claims of unrest in the camp.

“There is no problem whatsoever in our camp,” Enebi said. “What people interpreted as a crisis between two brothers was resolved within hours. Everything is fine.”

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the quarterfinal encounter. Artan is among the officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is the only Sub-Saharan African referee chosen for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025.

With the clock ticking towards kickoff, pressure is mounting on football authorities to resolve the bonus impasse and restore calm to the Super Eagles camp.