By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Fresh tension has emerged in the Super Eagles camp as players and members of the coaching crew have reportedly threatened to suspend training and delay their scheduled trip to Marrakech over unpaid Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bonuses.
Sources close to the team disclosed that bonuses for Nigeria’s four victories against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Mozambique are yet to be settled, despite the team meeting all performance targets at the tournament.
Senior players are said to be leading calls for an immediate resolution, warning that continued silence from officials could disrupt preparations ahead of the next phase of the competition. As a result, Thursday’s training session and travel plans now hang in the balance.
Recurring Issue in Nigerian Football
Bonus disputes have long been a recurring challenge in Nigerian football, with the Super Eagles repeatedly clashing with authorities at major tournaments. Similar situations have previously surfaced at past AFCON editions and World Cup outings, often resulting in training boycotts and emergency interventions.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the team famously refused to train over unpaid allowances until government officials stepped in.
Comparable tensions were also reported during AFCON tournaments in 2018 and 2021, drawing widespread criticism and distracting from on-field performances.
Calls for Swift Intervention
With Nigeria enjoying positive momentum at the ongoing AFCON, football stakeholders and fans have urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent the issue from escalating.
Many observers fear that unresolved off-field issues could negatively affect team morale and concentration if not urgently addressed.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the NFF regarding the payment of the outstanding bonuses.