Marrakesh, Morocco, January 9, 2026 – The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that all outstanding group-stage match bonuses owed to the Super Eagles players and officials at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco have been fully released, with transfers expected to reflect in domiciliary accounts starting Thursday or Friday.
Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, made the disclosure on Thursday via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, directly addressing reports of player unrest that had threatened to disrupt preparations for Saturday's quarter-final clash against Algeria.
“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. “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.”
She detailed the progress: “All group-stage bonuses were fully released and have now cleared the necessary regulatory stages.” To accommodate the players' preferences, a “fast-track conversion process” was implemented for payments in foreign currency. “The final transfers to domiciliary accounts are currently in flight. Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today or tomorrow,” the minister added.
Uzoka-Anite emphasized the government's commitment to player welfare: “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!”
The announcement comes amid reports that the Super Eagles squad had threatened to boycott training sessions and refuse travel to Marrakesh unless win bonuses from their four victorious matches—against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique—were settled. Sources indicated the players remained focused but firm on resolving the issue before proceeding.
This bonus dispute echoes longstanding patterns in Nigerian football, where payment delays have occasionally led to player protests during major tournaments. However, the swift governmental intervention appears to have averted escalation, allowing the team to arrive in Marrakesh and resume preparations.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi had reportedly pledged to personally cover the bonuses if delays persisted, highlighting internal solidarity. The National Sports Commission also attributed earlier hold-ups to bureaucratic processes, assuring resolution.
Nigeria's Super Eagles have been one of the standout teams at AFCON 2025, topping their group and advancing with a convincing 4-0 Round of 16 victory over Mozambique, featuring a brace from Victor Osimhen. Their quarter-final against two-time champions Algeria on January 10 at the Stade de Marrakech promises a fierce contest between Africa's in-form sides—Nigeria boasting the tournament's best attack and Algeria the strongest defence.
The resolution boosts morale as the three-time champions aim for a fourth title. Fans and stakeholders have welcomed the update, viewing it as evidence of improved administrative efficiency in supporting national sports endeavours.
