Shehu Dikko, chairman of the national sports commission (NSC), says all financial entitlements owed to Super Eagles players and officials have been resolved.
His comments come amid reports that the players threatened to boycott training and delay their trip to Marrakech ahead of Saturday’s AFCON 2025 quarter-final clash against Algeria.
Speaking to NAN, Dikko said President Bola Tinubu approved the Super Eagles’ AFCON budget as far back as November 2025, aligning the interests of the NSC, the NFF and the team.
“The president approved the entire AFCON budget on Nov. 14, 2025. From our end, the funding has been fully cleared,” he said.
Dikko clarified that approval and physical disbursement follow different timelines, but assured that the funds were already in the pipeline.
“Approving the money is one thing, processing it is another, but the players know the funds have been approved.”
He confirmed that meetings were held with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team captain, co-captain and senior players to agree on bonuses and payments up to the final.
“We sat down, negotiated and agreed on what the players are entitled to up to the final. Everybody is clear,” he explained.
According to him, the team fully understands the agreed bonuses and expectations ahead of every stage of the tournament.
“The players know exactly what they are playing for and what their bonuses are at every stage,” Dikko noted.
He added that the only cash request from the players—daily allowances—had already been paid.
“The only cash request was daily allowances, and that has been sorted and made available,” he said.
Dikko reiterated that match bonuses had been approved and were now being processed for payment.
“The bonuses have been approved. The process is ongoing and the money will come,” he assured.
He said the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were working to ensure smooth disbursement.
“The Ministry of Finance and CBN are on this, so everything will come on time.”
NAN reports that the Super Eagles have won all their matches to date, scoring 12 goals en route to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria will face the Desert Foxes of Algeria for a spot in the semi-finals and are expected to travel from Fès to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s 5 p.m. showdown at the Stade de Marrakech.
(NAN)