Nigerian government releases AFCON bonuses to pay Super Eagles squad

Questions over the payments arose during the ongoing tournament in Morocco, with players expressing concern about delays. Authorities have said the bonuses should reach the squad's bank accounts today, in time for Nigeria's quarter-final meeting with Algeria on Saturday.

The payments relate to fixtures up to and including the Round of 16 and are understood to be worth about 30,000 USD per player.

Nigeria's Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, explained that the hold-up was caused by foreign exchange complications.

She pointed to the country's economic pressures, which have resulted in dollar shortages and can hinder international money transfers, but stressed that the matter has now been settled.

Tensions intensified earlier this week after Nigeria recorded a convincing 4-0 win over Mozambique, after which several players raised their frustrations publicly.

Captain Wilfried Ndidi stepped in by offering to personally underwrite the bonuses, a gesture aimed at ensuring the squad remained focused and continued preparations for the quarter-final.

Bonus disputes are a familiar issue in African international football, where players have frequently clashed with federations over unpaid participation fees at major tournaments, including the World Cup.

Such disagreements have often damaged trust and, in some cases, prompted players to threaten boycotts of training or matches.

Nigeria experienced a high-profile standoff in 2014 when players initially refused to travel to the World Cup in Brazil until appearance fees were settled, while similar rumours circulated during the 2023 AFCON.