The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that all outstanding financial entitlements owed to Super Eagles players and officials have been comprehensively addressed, dismissing concerns over potential disruptions to Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Dikko’s clarification follows widespread reports suggesting that members of the national team were contemplating a boycott of training sessions and travel arrangements ahead of their crucial quarter-final encounter against Algeria in Marrakech on Saturday.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, the NSC chairman revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally approved the complete AFCON 2025 budget for the Super Eagles in November 2025, establishing clear alignment among the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, and the playing squad.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on November 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko stated.
He acknowledged the distinction between budget approval and the actual processing of payments, but provided assurances that the approved funds were currently being released through the appropriate government channels.
“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 disclosed that extensive consultations were held involving representatives from the NFF, the team captain, co-captain, and senior players to negotiate and finalise tournament bonus structures covering all stages of the competition.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.
According to Dikko, the players demonstrated full understanding of their financial incentives and formally accepted the agreed terms before the commencement of the tournament, eliminating ambiguity regarding remuneration at each stage of the competition.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” Dikko stated.
He further revealed that the only immediate cash requirement from the players involved daily allowances, which have already been settled and made available to the squad.
“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted and made available,” he said.
On the matter of match bonuses, which have historically been a source of tension between Nigerian national teams and football authorities, Dikko confirmed that these have received full approval and are currently undergoing processing for disbursement.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he said.
The NSC chairman emphasised that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria were actively engaged in facilitating the timely release of funds to ensure players receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
“The Ministry of Finance and CBN are on this, so everything will come on time,” Dikko assured.
The clarification comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, with the three-time African champions having delivered commanding performances throughout the group stage and round of 16. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles have maintained a perfect record in the tournament, winning all their matches while scoring an impressive 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria’s dominant run has positioned the team as one of the tournament favourites, rekindling hopes of a fourth continental title following previous triumphs in 1980, 1994, and 2013. The last significant success came over a decade ago, and the current squad, under technical guidance, has displayed both tactical discipline and attacking prowess that suggests genuine championship credentials.
The quarter-final clash against Algeria’s Desert Foxes represents a significant test for the Super Eagles, pitting two of North and West Africa’s most storied football nations against each other in a knockout encounter laden with historical rivalry and continental prestige. Algeria, the reigning African champions from 2019, possess considerable tournament experience and tactical sophistication, making Saturday’s fixture one of the most anticipated matches of the knockout phase.
According to NAN, the Super Eagles are scheduled to depart their current base in Fès for Marrakech on Thursday, allowing adequate time for acclimatisation and final preparations ahead of the encounter at the Stade de Marrakech, which kicks off at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The issue of player remuneration has long been a contentious matter in Nigerian football, with previous national team campaigns occasionally marred by payment disputes that disrupted preparations and damaged team morale. Notable incidents include the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where players threatened to boycott training over unpaid bonuses, and similar situations during various AFCON tournaments.
These recurring financial disputes have often undermined the technical preparations of Nigerian teams, diverting focus from on-field objectives to administrative and financial grievances. The pattern has reflected broader challenges within Nigerian sports administration, including bureaucratic delays in fund releases, unclear contractual agreements, and occasional breakdowns in communication between government agencies, football authorities, and players.
The presidential intervention approving the AFCON budget in November signals a recognition at the highest levels of government of the need to provide adequate support for national teams competing at major tournaments. This proactive approach appears designed to prevent the financial distractions that have historically undermined Nigerian campaigns at crucial moments.
The National Sports Commission, established to provide coordinated oversight of sports development and administration in Nigeria, has increasingly assumed a central role in managing relationships between government, sports federations, and athletes. Dikko’s public assurances reflect an effort to maintain transparency and build confidence among stakeholders during the tournament.
The current Super Eagles squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents plying their trade across Europe’s major leagues, representing one of Nigeria’s most technically gifted generations. The team’s impressive goal-scoring record and defensive solidity throughout the group stage have generated considerable optimism among Nigerian supporters, both domestically and in the diaspora.
A victory over Algeria would propel Nigeria into the semi-finals, bringing the team within two matches of continental glory and potentially ending a 12-year wait for AFCON success. The match also carries broader implications for Nigerian football, with strong tournament performances historically boosting domestic interest, inspiring youth participation, and strengthening commercial partnerships around the national team.
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