In a significant display of leadership, Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has announced his readiness to personally settle outstanding match bonuses for his teammates and team officials if the Nigerian Federal Government fails to do so before Saturday’s AFCON 2025 quarter-final against Algeria.
The announcement, shared by BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji on Thursday, comes amidst rising tensions in the Nigerian camp over unpaid incentives for their three group-stage matches and the Round of 16 victory.
Prioritizing Focus Over Finance
Ndidi emphasized that the financial dispute must not be allowed to derail Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title. The squad has already arrived in Marrakech to begin final preparations for the high-stakes showdown.
“I’ve been pushing the team to stay focused and prepare for the game against Algeria. I’ve done this since our second match,” Ndidi stated. “I have now assured the players and officials that I will personally pay the bonuses if the authorities don’t do so before Saturday.”
Reports had surfaced earlier in the week suggesting that players were considering a boycott of training sessions and travel as a protest against the administrative delays. Ndidi’s intervention appears aimed at maintaining squad harmony and ensuring the “Red Devils” encounter a fully prepared Nigerian side.
Government Response: Payment in Progress
In response to the growing unrest, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, issued a public update clarifying that the group-stage bonuses have been released and cleared through the necessary regulatory channels.
The Minister attributed the delay to a new streamlined foreign exchange processing system designed to pay players in their preferred foreign currencies.
- Currency Conversion: A new fast-track system has been implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
- Domiciliary Transfers: Payments are currently being processed into players’ accounts and are expected to reflect between Thursday and Friday.
- Future Outlook: The Ministry promised a “faster and more predictable process” for subsequent knockout stage payments.
The Road to a Fourth Star
Despite the off-pitch distractions, the Super Eagles held their first training session in Marrakech on Thursday evening. Nigeria—winners of the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013—enter the match against Algeria as one of the tournament favorites.
Ndidi’s unprecedented offer to cover the national team’s liabilities highlights the deep bond within the current squad and places further pressure on the sports ministry to fulfill its financial obligations before the weekend.
Source: BBC
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