It may still be too early to declare victory, but the Super Eagles have made themselves heard. On Wednesday, the players of the Nigerian selection threatened not to train and not to travel to Marrakech the next day, where their quarter-final of the African Cup of Nations against Algeria will be held, according to journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.
In question, the non-payment of bonuses promised by their leaders in the event of victories in their first four matches. Faced with the anger of players and staff, the Nigerian government reacted in the press. The Ministry of State for Finance assured that the administrative formalities had been carried out and that the bonuses would be paid to the footballers “from today (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday)”, via a press release relayed by the Punch media.
“Expedited” transfer process
Minister Doris Uzoka-Anite justified the payment delays by the time necessary for the “conversion of funds into foreign currencies” chosen by each player. The process would have been accelerated, the processing of foreign exchange transactions “streamlined” and the final transfers to domiciled accounts would be “in progress”.
Currently in Fez, the Super Eagles could thus be able to concentrate solely on football, provided that the bonuses are really transferred as announced. Their quarter-final will be held on Saturday evening against the Fennecs at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat.
