2025 AFCON: Nigeria Threaten to Boycott Training Ahead of Algeria Clash
- Nigeria’s players have reportedly threatened to boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of their quarter-final clash
- The three-time champions are due to face the 2019 winners, Algeria, on Saturday in a blockbuster meeting of African heavyweights
- Their build-up to the match could be disrupted by an ongoing dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation
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Nigeria have reportedly threatened to boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite qualifying for the quarter-finals of the tournament in Morocco.
The Super Eagles booked their place in the last eight after cruising past Mozambique with a dominant 4–0 victory in the Round of 16.
Source: Getty Images
Eric Chelle’s side are scheduled to face Algeria on Saturday, January 10, at 5 pm as they continue their bid for a fourth continental title. per Aljazeera.
The quarter-final is set to pit Nigeria’s free-scoring attack, the most prolific in the competition with 12 goals, against an Algeria side boasting the tournament’s best defence, having conceded just once in four matches.
The two nations last met at AFCON in 2019, when a late Riyad Mahrez free-kick sent the Fennec Foxes into the final, which they went on to win.
Nigeria refuse training ahead of Algeria game
The highly anticipated showdown has been thrown into doubt after Nigeria’s preparations were disrupted.
Reports suggest the players have staged a protest against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with both the squad and coaching staff refusing to travel to Marrakech or take part in training sessions until outstanding bonuses are paid.
BBC Africa journalist Oluwashina Okeleji reports that the players are yet to receive win bonuses for all four matches played so far, prompting the decision to halt training.
“Players and coaching staff of #Nigeria are waiting on #AFCON2025 bonus payments. Win bonuses from four matches - vs Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda & Mozambique have yet to be received.
“Squad remain focus but will NOT train or travel to Marrakech on Thursday if this isn't resolved,” Okeleji reported on X.
However, ESPN reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Ibrahim Gusau, has confirmed the issue has been resolved.
“The players were shown documents confirming that their payments had been processed, and they trained today, so there is no problem,” Gusau said.
A source also told ESPN that the delay was due to Nigerian laws that prohibit the movement of cash, particularly foreign currency, meaning the Central Bank of Nigeria had to process the payments, a procedure that can take up to seven days.
Source: Getty Images
The source added that bonuses from the group stage had already been paid, with only the bonus from the win over Mozambique still outstanding.
Bonus disputes, however, are not new within the Super Eagles camp. Last year, the team threatened to boycott a World Cup play-off against DR Congo before a last-minute intervention, but went on to lose the tie and miss out on the Mundial.
Osimhen confronts Lookman in match against Mozambique
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Victor Osimhen stirred debate on social media following his on-field behaviour toward Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s Round of 16 encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, January 5.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
