The Super Eagles of Nigeria are embroiled in a major crisis at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), threatening to derail their championship campaign. The players have vowed to boycott travel to their quarter-final match against Algeria unless outstanding match allowances are paid immediately. This dramatic standoff has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leader Peter Obi, who labeled the situation a national embarrassment.
Eagles Grounded Over Unpaid Dues
The Nigerian team, which has been in spectacular form on the pitch, is scheduled to travel from Fez to Marrakesh on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Their quarter-final clash with Algeria is set for Saturday, January 10. However, credible sources confirm that the camp is in disarray as players and officials have not received bonuses for any of their four matches in the tournament so far.
Despite their flawless performance—winning all four matches, topping Group C, thrashing Mozambique 4-0 in the second round, and being the tournament's highest scorers with 12 goals—the team's morale has been severely impacted. The Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) alleged failure to honour pre-tournament payment agreements has now pushed the squad to the brink of an unprecedented protest.
Peter Obi's Stern Rebuke
Reacting to the development, former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Gregory Obi, expressed outrage. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, he demanded an end to the recurring disgrace.
"When will this embarrassment end?" Obi wrote. "Can we get through a day without troubling news in this country? At a time when Nigerians need joy and unity—something the national football team has been providing by winning matches and lifting our spirits worldwide—these same players are being denied their basic match allowances."
He contrasted the situation with government spending, stating, "A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players." Obi emphasized that the Super Eagles do not deserve such distractions ahead of a crucial knockout game and called on the authorities to fulfill their obligations.
A Recurring National Shame
This incident is not isolated. It marks the second time in just a few months that the Super Eagles have protested over unpaid bonuses. In November 2024, the team boycotted training during the African World Cup qualifiers playoffs due to similar allowance backlogs. That dispute was followed shortly after by Nigeria's loss to DR Congo, which ended the country's dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The current crisis casts a dark shadow over Nigeria's otherwise bright AFCON 2025 campaign. With the nation's hopes pinned on the team to bring home the trophy, the administrative failure to motivate and adequately compensate the athletes poses a significant threat. All eyes are now on the NFF and sports authorities to resolve the payment issue swiftly and ensure the Eagles take to the pitch against Algeria, focused solely on football.
