The Super Eagles of Nigeria
The Nigeria men’s national football team has gone nearly three years without receiving match bonuses, covering as many as 30 fixtures, according to Nigeria sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.
Speaking on Sporty FM on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Okeleji revealed that the long-running issue has weighed on the players and reflects wider challenges affecting the Super Eagles during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
“In Nigeria you have players who have not been paid their match bonuses going into 30 matches, dating back to three years. These players sometimes are not in the right frame of mind,” he said.
Okeleji also highlighted concerns beyond finances, pointing to infrastructure and planning.
South Africa dent Nigeria’s World Cup dream
“As big as the nation is, Nigeria only has a stadium in Uyo that is up to FIFA and CAF standards. There is no technical centre where players train,” he noted.
On the pitch, Nigeria’s qualification hopes have stalled. The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa on September 9, 2025, leaving them with just eleven points from eight games in Group C. Earlier, they had dropped valuable points against Rwanda and other group rivals.
Okeleji further observed that “They’ve used over fifty players in four matches. How do you do that?” he added.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had previously received ₦17 billion from the federal government to settle outstanding bonuses for national teams, alongside a $4 million grant from CAF.
However, with these new revelations, it is clear that the backlogs have yet to be fully cleared.
FKA/JE
Meanwhile, watch the post-match conferences of Otto Addo, Tom Saintfiet and highlights of Ghana vs Mali game
