Nigeria’s Fourth AFCON Title Quest Gets Presidential Boost

Nigeria’s quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations win got a big boost at the weekend after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved ₦12billion for the payment of outstanding salaries and wages for the various national teams, including the Super Eagles. 

Over the years, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been owing players, coaches, and other staff salaries. The Super Eagles’ former coach, Gernot Rohr, had to drag the federation to FIFA before he got paid his outstanding wages.

The players are not left out too, as some of them hardly get their bonuses on time. Nonetheless, the NFF has managed to keep a good relationship with them.

Nigeria will be looking to claim a fourth African crown later this month, and they are currently camped in Dubai ahead of the competition.

In a new development, the team has gotten a big boost ahead of the tournament in Ivory Coast. 

According to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Media Centre, the President has approved ₦12billion for paying owed wages.

“The President has approved the payment of N12billon outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others.”

The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month.

This move comes at an important time for the Super Eagles, as the AFCON is just days away. This would be a morale booster for Peseiro and his lads going into the competition.