Nigeria’s captain Wilfred Ndidi has shown the leadership qualities that gave him the Super Eagles armband by offering to pay outstanding bonuses for his teammates and country staff....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has stepped forward with a dramatic intervention as Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign risks being overshadowed by unpaid bonuses.

With tensions rising ahead of the quarter-final clash against Algeria, the midfielder has vowed to personally cover the players’ entitlements if authorities fail to act in time.

Ndidi offers to pay teammates to prevent boycott

According to respected journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Ndidi has made an extraordinary commitment in a bid to keep the Super Eagles focused on football.

The Besiktas star revealed he has been pushing the squad to continue training and remain committed to preparations despite the ongoing bonus dispute.

“I’ve been pushing the team to train and play the game vs Algeria. I’ve been doing this since the second game,” Ndidi was quoted as saying. He went further by assuring both players and coaching staff that he would personally step in if necessary. “I’ve now made a commitment to the staff & players that I’ll personally pay the bonuses if the authority fail to before Saturday. I don’t want this unpaid bonuses to affect our preparations.”

The offer comes amid reports that players were considering 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 and CBN respond as pressure mounts

As the situation escalated, the Nigerian Football Federation moved to calm nerves by explaining the delay.

According to a previous Pulse Sports Nigeria report, 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.

The federation insists the funds have been released and that all outstanding bonuses will be paid once the banking process is completed.

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 chase AFCON glory.

Egypt forward, Mohamed Salah, has insisted they are not favourites to emerge champions at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

In an interview with CAF Online, Salah claimed they were just ready to fight for their country.

The Liverpool superstar has found the back of net three times at the tournament, as the Pharoahs progressed into the quarter-final.

Egypt will now take on champions Ivory Coast on Saturday, for a place in the final four.

“I don’t think we are favourites. We have young players, most of them playing back home in Egypt,” Salah said.

“We are just fighting for our country, then we see where we can go. Everyone here just wants to give their best.”

Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman has suggested how Nigeria will approach their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Both teams advanced to the last-8 after winning their matches against Mozambique and DR Congo, respectively, in the Round of 16 stage.

Speaking ahead of the last-8 tie, Lookman insisted that Eric Chelle’s side will approach their fixture against the Desert Foxes with the mentality to win and also be aggressive on the ball.

“Everyone is physically strong,” Lookman said via CAFOnline. “It’s about meeting them on the field, being intelligent, and being ready.”

“Same mentality from the team,” the Atalanta star added. “Same mentality to win, to be aggressive on the ball.”

Lookman has been Nigeria’s most influential player so far at the AFCON, scoring three goals and registering five assists.