- Nigeria’s Super Eagles have gone nearly three years without match bonuses, covering 30 games.
- Despite government and CAF funding, the NFF has not cleared the backlog.
- Nigeria has only one FIFA-standard stadium and no technical training centre.
- The team drew 1-1 with South Africa, leaving them with 11 points from 8 games.
- Over 50 players have been used in just four matches, raising concerns about planning.
Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has gone nearly three years without receiving match bonuses — a staggering backlog that spans 30 fixtures and continues to weigh heavily on players during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji revealed the extent of the crisis during a broadcast on Sporty FM, noting that the unpaid bonuses have left players demoralized and distracted. Despite a ₦17 billion allocation from the federal government and a $4 million grant from CAF, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to fully settle its debts to the team.
The financial strain is compounded by structural issues. Nigeria currently has only one stadium — in Uyo — that meets FIFA and CAF standards, and lacks a dedicated technical centre for training. These gaps have raised questions about the country’s preparedness for elite competition.
On the pitch, the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes are slipping. A 1-1 draw against South Africa on September 9 left them with just eleven points from eight games in Group C. Earlier matches against Rwanda and other group rivals saw Nigeria drop crucial points, further denting their chances.
Okeleji also criticized the team’s lack of consistency, pointing out that over fifty players have been rotated across just four matches — a sign of instability in squad selection and planning.
With morale low, infrastructure weak, and payments still pending, Nigeria’s road to the 2026 World Cup looks increasingly uncertain.
