The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

  • Another  bonus row threatens Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign

    Another  bonus row threatens Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign

    • Players boycott training sessions
    • May not travel to Marrakech today

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are reportedly yet to receive their match win bonuses for four games played at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), raising concerns behind the scenes ahead of their Saturday’s quarter final tie with the Fennecs of Algeria.

    The development comes at a crucial stage of the tournament, where focus and unity are vital as Nigeria pushes deeper into the competition after they smashed the Mambas of Mozambique 4-0 on Monday in Fez.

     A correspondent  with the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC), Oluwashina Okeleji , claimed the unpaid bonuses affect both the players and members of the coaching crew.

    While the exact financial figures were not disclosed, the delay is understood to involve standard match incentives agreed upon before the commencement of the tournament, covering four victories so far at AFCON 2025.

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    Despite the unresolved financial issue, the Super Eagles squad has remained professional and committed to their national duty. Sources close to the team indicated that the players have continued to show discipline and togetherness, prioritising Nigeria’s quest for continental glory over off-field distractions.

    But according to Okeleji,  the situation could take a more serious turn if the issue is not resolved promptly as the team will not train or travel to Marrakech today.

    Okeleji  stated on X (formerly Twitter):“Players and coaching staff of #Nigeria are waiting on #AFCON2025 bonus payments. Win bonuses from four matches – vs. Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda & Mozambique – have yet to be received. Squad remain focus but will NOT train or travel to Marrakech on Thursday if this isn’t resolved”

    This is the second strike in three months. In the last international break in November 2025, the players also went on strike before their crucial World Cup playoffs against Gabon but the matter was settled within 24 hours.

    Ironically, the authorities recently  unveiled  an improved  bonus package to motivate the team toward continental glory.

    Each player  is expected  to earn $30,000 for qualifying from the group stage with maximum points and an additional $12,500 following the emphatic 4-0 win over Mozambique in the Round of 16.

    Further bonuses await, including $15,000 for a quarterfinal victory over Algeria, $17,500 for winning the semifinal, and $20,000 for lifting the trophy.

  • AFCON 2025: Nigerians faults CAF’s sharing formula  for Free-to-Air matches

    AFCON 2025: Nigerians faults CAF’s sharing formula  for Free-to-Air matches

    A few days to the kick-off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, football lovers in Nigeria are protesting CAF’s decision to limit the number of matches that will be shown on terrestrial or Free-to-Air television to 32, while European terrestrial stations have the right to show all 52 games.

    It will be recalled that CAF has limited public channels to only 32 of the 52 matches, a number many Nigerians consider insufficient.

    A cross-section of Nigerians interviewed have  called on the Federal Government to work with other heads of  African governments  to call  CAF to order and ensure that the injustice is reversed before the tournament begins on December 21.

    Malik Sani, an Abuja-based football aficionado, could not believe that CAF is allowing European televisions to show all the matches free on terrestrial stations in Europe, while Africans, the owners of the championships, are limited to only 32 matches.

     “Will UEFA limit the number of EURO Championship matches to be shown in Europe to 32 and give Africa 52 matches?” Sani asked rhetorically. “We all know Europeans will never do that; they will give their citizens all the matches free and ask Africans to pay for all the matches.”

    He could not understand the rationale behind giving all 52 matches free to Europeans, most of whom have pay television, and limiting Nigerians and Africans — where 80% of the citizens can’t afford pay television but rely on terrestrial television — to just 32 matches.

     “This is unfair. We hope our government and other Heads of State across Africa will work with CAF to correct this injustice before the AFCON begins in a few days.”

    European countries will be able to watch all 52 AFCON matches on Free-to-Air television. In the United Kingdom, for example, Channel 4 will show all 52 matches on free-to-air television for UK viewers. The 52 matches will be on E4, 4Seven, Channel 4 Streaming, and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.

    Speaking on the deal, CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, said: “The agreement between CAF and Channel 4 is historic in many ways, and it ensures that the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will live in every household in the UK.’’

    But Stanley Okoro, an Enugu-based football fan, said the CAF General Secretary’s statement shows the premium they place on Africans and Africa.

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     “Will UEFA prioritise the EURO being shown in every home in Africa over Europe? I hope our leaders will intervene and call CAF to order before the championships begin. How many homes have pay television in Nigeria? How many can afford it? This is not fair to us,’’ said Okoro.

    It is not only Nigerians who are kicking against what has been described as a slap in the face of Africans, but many Francophone public broadcasters are also seeking to secure the rights to show more matches free-to-air.

    They are demanding access to all 52 matches. They argue that the decision to limit Africa’s free-to-air broadcasters to just 32 matches runs counter to the principle of universal access and say a competition partly funded by governments should be entirely available to the public.

    There are insinuations that CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s interest in French broadcaster Canal+, which recently acquired MultiChoice Group, may partly be responsible for the decision, as it is believed they are subtly coaxing Africans to acquire pay television decoders and watch all 52 matches on pay television.

  • Uganda coach unfazed about Super Eagles’ face-off at CHAN 2024

    Uganda coach unfazed about Super Eagles’ face-off at CHAN 2024

    Uganda’s national team head coach, Paul Put, has acknowledged the formidable challenge his side faces in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but remains hopeful about the Cranes’ prospects.

    Drawn into Group C, Uganda will battle three-time champions Nigeria, perennial contenders Tunisia, and East African rivals Tanzania — a group Put admits is anything but easy.

    “There are no easy games in Africa,” Put said following the draw. “Nigeria were runners-up at the last AFCON and remain one of the strongest sides on the continent. Tunisia is a consistent performer, regularly reaching the quarter-finals. Still, we must believe in ourselves and make the most of this opportunity.”

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    The Belgian coach emphasized that Uganda’s preparation, focus, and tactical discipline will be vital as they head into the tournament in Morocco.

     “We have to be ready — physically, mentally, and tactically. This is not just about 2025; it’s also a chance to build momentum as we look ahead to hosting the tournament in 2027,” he added. “It’s a big stage for our players to show what they’re capable of and inspire the Ugandan people.”

    Uganda has qualified for AFCON seven times since their debut in 1962. Their best run came in 1978, when they finished as runners-up to Ghana.

  • Benin still in the  race for AFCON 2025, says Rohr

    Benin still in the  race for AFCON 2025, says Rohr

     German  coach Gernot Rohr  said  his Cheetahs  of Benin Republic are still  much in the  race to qualify for  the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  despite  the 2-1  away loss to  Rwanda in their MatchDay 4 encounter.

    Result left  Benin  on  six  points  and in second place behind  seven-point Nigeria   while Rwanda  are in third position with five points and Libya  rooted  at the bottom of the table with just one point going into the remaining  MatchDay 5 and 6 in November.

    Benin will host the Super Eagles of   Nigeria  on November 10  before playing  away to  the Mediterranean Knights of Libya on November  18  while  the other Group D fixtures in November  will see  Rwanda hosting Libya on November  10 before  playing away to Nigeria  on November 18 to draw curtains on the  qualifying tournament  for AFCON 2025.

    Rohr, the erstwhile  Super  Eagles foreign coach ,remains confident  about the chances  of  Benin  with only the top two teams in Group D guaranteed  tickets to what would be 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament.

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    “There is  a big suspense in our group but  we (Cheetahs of Benin) are still in the race,” the 71-year-old Rohr  who is seeking a fifth AFCON Finals ticket  for Benin, told NationSport. “We are already focused on the next two games(against Nigeria and Libya.”

    Though Benin lost, Rohr believes  his wards  who shocked super  2-1 last June  in their CAF Group C  MatchDay 4 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, can ride their luck yet again despite  losing  their opening Group D  AFCON  qualifier 3-0  to Nigeria in September.

    “We need at first,  a good result against Nigeria and we will finish against Libya,” added the former Bayern Munich defender.