Wilfred Ndidi
Super Eagles Captain, Wilfred Ndidi has promised to pay both players and members of staff, all owed match bonuses since the 2026 Africa Cup of Nation tournament began in Morocco if the Nigeria Football Federation fails to pay by Saturday.
The Captain decides to take the burden upon himself to ensure the team concentrates absolutely on the quarter final game against the Algeria team on Saturday, he was quoted to have said.
With commentators saying Ndidi’s decision was only a practical demonstration of the qualities that earned him the captain band.
Sources close to the team camp, said the Besiktas star disclosed he has been prevailing on his colleagues to continue training, remain committed and focused on preparations despite the ongoing bonus dispute.
As any form of distraction could be counter productive and devastating to the collective goal of the team reaching the finals of the tournament, he reportedly said.
“I have been pushing the team to train and play the game vs Algeria. I have been doing this since the second game,” Ndidi was quoted as saying.
“I have now made a commitment to the staff and players that I’ll personally pay the bonuses if the authority fails before Saturday. I don’t want these unpaid bonuses to affect our preparations.”
Ndidi’s offer comes as a huge relief amid reports that players have threatened boycotting training and travel to Marrakech after failing to receive win bonuses from victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique.
Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect record before thrashing Mozambique 4–0 in the Round of 16, making the standoff particularly frustrating at such a crucial stage.
NFF, CBN respond as pressure mounts
However, the Nigerian Football Federation has moved to calm nerves by explaining the delay.
According to previous media reports, a senior NFF official confirmed that the Central Bank of Nigeria is processing the payments directly into the individual bank accounts of players and officials.
As the Federation has always assured that the funds have been released and that all outstanding bonuses will be paid once the banking process was completed.
This is as Government officials have since acknowledged the delay while attributing the setback to administrative and foreign exchange procedure with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Now, with the Super Eagles set to face Algeria on Saturday, January 10, the NFF will be hoping Ndidi’s leadership and the promised payments prevent a damaging distraction as Eric Chelle’s side chases AFCON glory.
The Captain’s intervention is aimed at protecting team morale, unity, and focus as the Super Eagles face a litmus test in the game against the Algerian team reputed to be equally a very solid side.
Team hits venue of game
Meanwhile, reports say the Super Eagles have arrived at Marrakech for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final tie against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
Éric Chelle and his players touched down at the Marrakech Airport around 4.20 pm on Thursday.
The Super Eagles were previously based in Fès where they played all their group stage matches as well as the Round of 16 tie.
They won all their matches at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
Saturday’s encounter with Algeria will hold at the Stade Marrakech.
The highly anticipated encounter will kick-off at 5:00 pm Nigerian time.
As the winner will lock horns against the hosts; Morocco or Cameroon in the last four.