Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has taken a personal stance to resolve the team’s payment issues, pledging to pay all outstanding match bonuses himself if the Federal Government fails to do so before Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria on Saturday.
According to a report by BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, Ndidi made the commitment to teammates and officials in an effort to maintain focus ahead of the crucial match. “I’ve now made a commitment to the staff and players that I’ll personally pay the bonuses if the authorities fail to before Saturday,” Ndidi was quoted as saying. “I don’t want these unpaid bonuses to affect our preparations.”
The team’s camp had reportedly been unsettled by delayed payments for their group-stage and round-of-16 matches, with rumors of a potential boycott of training and travel earlier in the week.
In response, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, provided an update on Thursday stating that the group-stage bonuses had been fully processed and cleared regulatory stages. She also assured that a new, streamlined system had been implemented to expedite future payments and conversion into foreign currency.
“Players can expect these funds to reflect starting today or tomorrow,” the minister stated.
Ndidi and the Super Eagles arrived in Marrakech on Thursday and held a training session as they continue their quest for a fourth AFCON title.
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