No Pay Dispute, Says NSC as Super Eagles’ AFCON Bonuses Are Cleared
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Shehu Dikko, has confirmed that all financial entitlements of Super Eagles players and officials have been resolved.
Mr. Dikko’s comments followed reports that some players had threatened to boycott training and travel arrangements ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 fixture against Algeria.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Dikko said President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 2025, ensuring alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the players.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on November 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” he said.
He explained that while approval and processing are distinct stages, the players had been assured that the funds were approved and being released.
“Approving the money is one thing; processing it is another. But the players know the funds have been approved,” Mr. Dikko added.
According to him, meetings were held with the NFF, the team captain, co-captain, and senior players, during which tournament bonuses were agreed upon.
“We sat down, negotiated, and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he said.
Mr. Dikko noted that the players understood their incentives before the tournament began and accepted the terms.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” he stated.
He disclosed that only daily allowances were requested in cash, and those had already been paid.
“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted,” he said.
Mr. Dikko added that match bonuses had been approved and were currently being processed for disbursement, with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) working to ensure timely payment.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles have won all their matches so far, scoring 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will face Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a semi-final place and are expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday ahead of the encounter at the Stade de Marrakech on Saturday at 5 p.m.
