Tension is once again brewing around Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, after fresh allegations of unpaid allowances have cast a shadow over their recent international outings.
Despite putting up commendable performances in Turkey, where they secured a 2-1 victory over Iran and battled to a 2-2 draw against World Cup-bound Jordan, the mood within the squad has reportedly been far from celebratory.
Instead, frustration and disappointment have taken centre stage, with players left aggrieved over the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) failure to fulfill financial commitments.
Sources close to the team revealed that the players are yet to receive their appearance fees for both friendlies, with each player understood to be entitled to $2,000 per match.
The fixtures, staged in Antalya, were organised by the Jordan Football Association (JFA), who are expected to pay an appearance fee to the NFF, further intensifying concerns over why the players remain unpaid.
“The players were disappointed again with the NFF,” a source disclosed. “They accused the federation of empty promises and no payment.”
What has heightened the discontent is the presence of top NFF officials at the matches, including Ibrahim Gusau, Sharif Inuwa Ahlan, and Mohammed Sanusi, yet the financial issues persisted unresolved.
This latest episode has reignited long-standing concerns among Nigerian football stakeholders, who fear that recurring administrative lapses could undermine the team’s stability and performance.
Critics argue that consistent failure to honour agreements not only erodes trust between players and the federation but also risks damaging Nigeria’s reputation in international football circles.
With two high-profile friendlies against Poland and Portugal scheduled for June, the timing of the dispute is particularly troubling.
Stakeholders worry that unresolved financial grievances could distract the players and affect preparations for crucial matches against top European opposition.
Many within the football community are now calling for urgent reforms within the NFF, stressing the need for transparency, accountability, and timely fulfillment of obligations.
For a team striving to maintain competitiveness on the global stage, off-field distractions of this nature could prove costly.
As the Super Eagles look ahead to their next assignments, the spotlight is firmly on the NFF to restore confidence and ensure that the focus returns to football, where it rightly belongs.
Source: ScoreNigeria
