Soccer
Super Eagles Celebrate goal during AFCON 2025. (Photo by: ImagoxSegun Ogunfeyitimi)
The Super Eagles players have gone on strike due to unpaid bonuses in their four games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria has been the best team at the ongoing AFCON in Morocco, winning all four of their games. They have scored the most goals in the competition, with four in their kitty.
The team has grown from being strugglers before the competition kicked off to becoming major contenders for the AFCON title.
However, they have hit a major snag. According to top Nigerian journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, the NFF have not paid the players and staff their win bonuses from all four games they have played so far in Morocco.
Three-time #AFCON champions #Nigeria have a strange ability to self-sabotage.
Officials made a promise to the players & coaching staff ahead of the #AFCON2025 tournament.
After going unbeaten to reach the quarterfinal vs #Algeria, the squad will NOT train or travel on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/RnzWDmiCNs
— Olúwashínà Okeleji (@oluwashina) January 7, 2026
As a result, the players have embarked on a strike. They were expected to travel to Marrakech on Thursday ahead of their quarterfinal against Algeria on Saturday, but they plan to remain in Fez if their demands are not met. They have also refused to train.
Soccer Super Eagles: When Will The NFF Change?
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have built a reputation of being perennial debtors. In fact, coach Eric Chelle was being owed some payments before the start of the 2025 AFCON.
This is the second strike in three months. In the last international break in November 2025, the players also went on strike before their crucial World Cup playoffs against Gabon, but the matter was settled within 24 hours.
But apparently, the NFF are unwilling to turn a new leaf, as is evidenced by this new situation.
Now that the players have taken action, the NFF will escalate the matter and settle it quickly. That seems to be the only language that the Glass House understands.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, and Sportspremi.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
Read MoreKelvin Omachonu