January 8, 2026 | Sports News | SUNTV Global Channel
The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting that Nigeria’s Super Eagles were on the verge of boycotting their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match over unpaid bonuses, insisting that the players were fully aware of the payment structure long before the tournament began.
Addressing growing public concern, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, attributed the delay in bonus payments to bureaucratic and procedural processes, stressing that the situation has been widely misrepresented.
The clarification followed media reports claiming that frustration over unpaid entitlements had pushed some players to consider refusing to honour their quarter-final clash against Algeria.
Government Says Funds Approved, Processing Ongoing
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Dikko explained that funds for Nigeria’s AFCON participation had already been approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu well ahead of the competition.
According to him, while presidential approval is a crucial step, it does not automatically translate into instant cash disbursement.
“The NFF, the National Sports Commission, the Presidency, the Minister of Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria are all involved in this process,” Dikko said.
“The money for this AFCON has been approved and is being processed through the appropriate government channels. It’s purely a matter of timing.”
Dikko revealed that President Tinubu approved a special AFCON budget on November 14, 2025, underscoring the administration’s commitment to supporting the national team.
“Approval of funds is different from the actual release. It has to pass through the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General, and finally the CBN,” he explained.
Addressing the core of the controversy, the NSC chairman stated categorically that Super Eagles players are not paid on a match-by-match basis, noting that the squad was fully briefed on the payment structure before the tournament commenced.
“The players know clearly that they are not paid per match. That is not how AFCON bonuses work,” Dikko said.
He explained that bonuses are tied to the team’s progression across different stages of the tournament, not individual matches.
“AFCON is a one-month competition. As the team progresses, bonuses are processed accordingly through official channels and paid in phases,” he added.
Dikko further disclosed that funds for the first phase of the competition have already reached the Central Bank of Nigeria and are undergoing final processing for direct payment into players’ accounts.
“As of January 5, the bonuses for the first round are already at the CBN and are being processed for payment to the players,” he said.
He also confirmed that daily allowances for the players have already been fully settled in cash, dismissing claims that the team was left stranded financially during the tournament.
“All daily allowances have been paid. The players are fully aware of the status of their bonuses,” Dikko stated.
The NSC chairman urged the public to avoid sensational narratives that could distract the team as they continue their AFCON campaign, emphasizing that the government remains committed to the welfare of Nigerian athletes.
He reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration views sports as a key national asset and would not deliberately undermine the morale of the Super Eagles.
As Nigeria continues its quest for continental glory, officials insist that administrative processes—not neglect—are responsible for the payment delay, assuring players and fans that all entitlements will be honoured in full.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign and provide timely updates on both on-field performances and off-field issues affecting the team.
