Former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has revealed how previous generations of Super Eagles players, led by captains like Sunday Oliseh and Austin Jay Jay Okocha, handled disputes over match bonuses and allowances with the Nigeria Football Federation.
The Current Payment Crisis
The revelation comes amid ongoing tensions between the current Super Eagles squad and the NFF over unpaid entitlements. Nigerian players recently boycotted training during the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff in Morocco, alleging that the football federation owes them allowances for 31 matches dating back to 2019.
The protest occurred during a crucial period for the national team, which eventually failed to qualify for the Mundial for the second consecutive time after missing the 2022 edition. Coach Eric Chelle is also facing similar challenges, with reports indicating the NFF hasn't paid his salary for two months.
How Veteran Players Handled Payments
In a viral post on X, Aiyegbeni commended the patience of current players while explaining the different approach taken during his playing days. The former Middlesbrough star detailed how captains Sunday Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo, and Austin Jay Jay Okocha would demand their entitlements before any match commenced.
"When we come to the national team, Oliseh would inform the NFF that if we don't get our ticket money and daily allowances before the match, we will not play," Aiyegbeni stated during an appearance on Bet9ja Home Turf.
The three-time AFCON bronze medallist emphasized that failure to comply with these demands would result in strike action by the senior players. "The money would come out, so it's not a new thing we've been dealing with for many years," he added.
Conflicting Claims and Fan Reactions
The situation has created conflicting narratives between the players and football authorities. While NFF president Ibrahim Gusau strongly denies owing any outstanding debts to the Super Eagles, the National Sports Commission claims funds were released to clear the bonus backlog before the crucial playoff.
Nigerian football fans have expressed strong opinions about the revelations. One social media user commented: "I've been saying this for a long time. The corrupt NFF board needs to go; the level of rot in that body is too much."
Another fan praised Oliseh's leadership: "Oliseh was truly a stand-up captain. The best captain any group could ask for."
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the NFF has identified five players believed to have instigated the training boycott ahead of the World Cup play-off against Gabon on November 13, though no decision has been made about penalizing them.
