AFCON 2025: Super Eagles’ Allowances, Bonuses Approved — NSC

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has assured that all financial entitlements of Super Eagles players and officials have been resolved, dismissing reports of a possible boycott of training and travel ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 clash with Algeria.

Dikko said the concerns followed misconceptions over payment timelines, stressing that President Bola Tinubu had approved the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations budget as far back as November 2025.

“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on November 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” Dikko said.

He explained that while approval and processing were separate stages, players were fully aware that funds had been approved and were in the process of release.

“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 meetings were held with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team captain, co-captain and other senior players to agree on tournament bonuses.

“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 accepted and understood the incentive structure before the tournament commenced.

“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” he stated.

He noted that the only request made in cash was for daily allowances, which, he said, had already been settled.

“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted and made available,” Dikko said.

He further confirmed that match bonuses had been approved and were currently being processed for payment.

“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he assured, adding that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were working to ensure timely disbursement.

Citizen FM reports that Nigeria will face Algeria’s Desert Foxes on Saturday for a semi-final place and are expected to depart Fès for Marrakech on Thursday ahead of the high-profile encounter at the Stade de Marrakech, scheduled for 5 p.m.