The Federal Government of Nigeria has moved to calm tensions around the Super Eagles’ participation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting it is determined to resolve all outstanding payment issues, Afrosport reports.
Officials confirmed that players’ match bonuses have now passed the required regulatory stages and are expected to reach the squad’s domiciliary accounts imminently.
Concerns had surfaced earlier this week after reports emerged that the players were unwilling to travel for their quarter-final match unless the unpaid allowances were settled. The team is due to face Algeria on Saturday in Marrakech, having been based in Fez since the start of the tournament.
The dispute centred on bonuses for the four matches already played at the competition. Players and officials were said to be united in their stance, raising fears of a repeat of previous disruptions.
The situation is reminiscent of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign in November 2024, when the team refused to train ahead of their African play-off final against DR Congo. The Eagles were eventually beaten on penalties by the Leopards, ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in North America.
In a statement released on social media, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, explained that the delay was linked to the process of converting funds into foreign currency, which the players had requested.
“I am pleased to provide an update on the administrative progress regarding the match bonuses for our national team at AFCON 2025,” Uzoka-Anite wrote on X.
“The Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have successfully streamlined the foreign exchange processing to ensure our players are rewarded without further delay.
“Going forward, the process will be fully streamlined to ensure faster, more predictable disbursements aligned with international best practice.”
The minister claimed that issue has now been addressed, and transfers are under way, with payment expected to reflect “today or tomorrow.”
She added: “All group-stage bonuses were fully released and have now cleared the necessary regulatory stages. We have implemented a fast-track conversion process to move funds into foreign currency, honouring the players’ preferences.
“The final transfers to domiciliary accounts are currently in flight. Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today or tomorrow.
“Our focus remains entirely on supporting the team’s welfare so they can maintain their incredible momentum in the knockout rounds. We move forward with one goal: Bringing the trophy home!”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have impressed at the tournament, winning all four of their matches and scoring 12 goals to emerge as one of the tournament’s standout sides. They topped their group before recording a convincing 4-0 win over Mozambique in the round of 16.
With the payment issue close to resolution, attention now turns fully to Saturday’s quarter-final, with Nigeria eyeing revenge for their 2019 semi-final defeat to Algeria.
Victory over the Dessert Foxes would set up a semi-final meeting against either Morocco or Cameroon, keeping Nigeria’s title hopes firmly alive.
