The Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, are once again on a collision course with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), threatening to boycott their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarterfinal match against Algeria. The players are demanding the settlement of outstanding allowances, a recurring issue that has plagued the team's preparations.
Allowance Dispute Escalates Ahead of Crucial Clash
This marks the second consecutive major tournament where the players have resorted to such drastic action to force the NFF's hand. The team is scheduled to face the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech.
According to sources close to the squad, the players have accused the NFF of reneging on a prior agreement to clear all outstanding entitlements before the AFCON tournament commenced. They feel the federation has not been sincere in its dealings and has been "playing on their intelligence."
Unlike a previous incident during the Africa playoff for the 2026 World Cup in Morocco last November, where the Eagles refused to train before the final against DR Congo, the team did hold a normal training session on Wednesday. However, the players have drawn a line in the sand, vowing not to travel to Marrakech for the quarterfinal as planned unless their allowances are settled by either the NFF or the Federal Government.
Nigeria eventually lost that World Cup playoff match to DR Congo, and there are fears that this renewed financial distraction could derail their AFCON campaign.
Mahrez Confident But Cautious Ahead of Nigeria Rematch
Meanwhile, Algeria's captain and star player, Riyad Mahrez, has expressed confidence that his team will overcome the Super Eagles, though he acknowledges the challenge ahead. This quarterfinal is a repeat of the 2019 AFCON semifinal in Egypt, where Algeria triumphed 2-1, with Mahrez scoring a memorable last-minute winning goal from a free-kick.
Speaking after Algeria's hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, Mahrez stated his team deserved their quarterfinal spot. He praised the Congolese team but highlighted Algeria's solidity and ability to make the difference.
On the upcoming clash with Nigeria, Mahrez told m.elbotola.com, "Nigeria? We know them well, the match will not be easy." When asked about the possibility of another last-minute free-kick deciding the game, he quipped, "We will see, everything is possible," in a clear nod to their 2019 encounter.
A Recurring Crisis Threatening National Pride
The recurring theme of unpaid allowances has become a significant stain on Nigerian football, often overshadowing on-field performances and creating unnecessary tension before critical matches. The standoff poses a severe threat to Nigeria's chances in the tournament, as player morale and focus are directly impacted by off-pitch financial disputes.
All eyes are now on the NFF and the Federal Government to resolve this impasse swiftly. The nation waits to see if the Super Eagles will take to the field on Saturday or if the quarterfinal will be marred by an unprecedented boycott, with the team's AFCON dreams and the country's footballing reputation hanging in the balance.
