The National Sports Commission (NSC) has assured Nigerians that all financial entitlements owed to the Super Eagles players and officials at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been fully approved, with payments already in progress.
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, gave the assurance amid reports suggesting that some players had threatened to boycott training sessions and the team’s planned trip to Marrakech ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash against Algeria.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dikko explained that President Bola Tinubu approved the entire AFCON 2025 budget as far back as November 14, 2025, ensuring full alignment between the NSC, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the players.
“The president approved the full AFCON budget in November. From our side, all funding issues have been cleared,” Dikko said.
He clarified, however, that while approvals had been granted, the release of funds involves a separate administrative process. According to him, the players are fully aware that the money has been approved and is currently being processed.
“Approval is one thing, processing is another. But the players know the funds have been approved and will be released,” he added.
Dikko disclosed that extensive discussions were held with the NFF leadership, the team captain, co-captain and senior players to agree on the structure of tournament bonuses.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everyone is clear on the terms,” he said.
He stressed that the players understood and accepted their incentives before the tournament kicked off.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage of the competition,” Dikko stated.
According to the NSC chairman, the only payments requested in cash were daily allowances, which he confirmed had already been settled.
“The only cash request was for daily allowances, and those have been made available,” he said.
He further revealed that match bonuses had been approved and were currently going through the payment process, assuring that the funds would be released without delay.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” Dikko said, adding that both the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria were actively involved to ensure timely disbursement.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have enjoyed an impressive run at AFCON 2025, winning all their matches so far and scoring 12 goals on their way to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria are set to face Algeria’s Desert Foxes for a place in the semi-finals. The team is expected to leave Fès for Marrakech on Thursday, ahead of the high-stakes encounter scheduled for Saturday at the Stade de Marrakech by 5 p.m.
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