The Super Eagles have reportedly gone on strike ahead of their quarterfinal match against Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco over unpaid bonuses.
According to reports, the Nigerian players and officials are yet to receive their match bonuses for all four games played so far in the tournament. As a result, the squad has refused to train and has halted plans to travel to Marrakech for Saturday’s crucial encounter.
Nigeria have been one of the standout teams at AFCON 2025, winning all four of their matches and scoring a tournament-high 12 goals. That tally equals the Super Eagles’ best-ever goals record at the AFCON, first achieved at the 2000 edition. Once considered underdogs, the team has emerged as a strong contender for the title.
However, preparations have now been disrupted by a fresh financial dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The players are reportedly remaining in Fez until their entitlements are paid, insisting they will neither train nor travel until the issue is resolved.
This is not the first time the NFF has been embroiled in such controversy. The federation has a long history of delayed payments to players and officials, with head coach Eric Chelle also reportedly owed bonuses before the start of the tournament. The current standoff marks the second strike by the national team in three months.
In November 2025, the Super Eagles similarly downed tools ahead of World Cup playoff matches against Gabon, though that dispute was resolved within 24 hours following intervention.
The latest incident underscores persistent tensions between the players and the NFF. Observers note that unless the matter is urgently resolved, further disruptions are likely—reinforcing the perception that Nigeria’s three-time AFCON champions often undermine their own progress through administrative failures.
