Bonus Row Casts Shadow Over Eagles’ AFCON Quarter-final Preparations

NIGERIA’S preparations for their AFCON quarter-final against Algeria suffered a setback on Wednesday as players threatened not to travel to Marrakech over unpaid bonuses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles, currently in Fès after winning all group matches, are demanding payment of their four-match win bonuses before resuming training or travelling for the game.

Promise Efoghe, the Super Eagles Media Officer, had earlier confirmed to NAN that the team would travel from Fes to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against Algeria.

In spite of the dispute, the players say they remain focused on the Algeria encounter.

They, however, insisted that no further team activities would take place until all entitlements were settled.

A source at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the payment process had been initiated, with funds transferred from the Central Bank of Nigeria to the individual bank accounts of the players.

The source added that players and officials would receive their bonuses once banking procedures were completed.

NAN also reports that a similar situation occurred during the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Rabat, where unpaid allowances preceded Nigeria’s elimination on penalties against DR Congo.

Saturday’s AFCON quarter-final match against Algeria will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigeria time at the Stade de Marrakech, Morocco.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)