Super Eagles threaten to boycott AFCON qualifier
Super Eagles lineup against Guinea Bissau. Photo: Score Nigeria
Super Eagles players have threatened to boycott an all-important 2023 AFCON qualifier away to Sierra Leone over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
The three-time African champions top Group A with nine points, Guinea Bissau are second on seven points, while Sierra Leone are back in contention for qualification with five points after a 2-0 win over bottom team, Sao Tome and Principe.
Reports say some of the players are very angry with the non-payment of their match bonuses and allowances, especially after they were promised that at least some of these monies will be paid this month before the matches against Guinea Bissau.
The players were promised some of these outstanding payments would be paid before this month’s qualifiers against Guinea Bissau, but that was not the case.
Nigeria must get a result against Sierra Leone in Morocco, where the Leone Stars now play their home games. Any result short of an outright defeat will enable Africa’s 1980, 1994 and 2013 champions book a ticket to the 2023 AFCON to be staged by Cote d’Ivoire in January, 2024.
Reliable sources within the FA have been quoted as confirming that the players are unhappy that nothing has as yet been paid to them, as some of the boys threaten not to honour the match against Sierra Leone as a result.
The Eagles are owed bonuses and allowances for at least 19 matches, running over two years.
Reporting by Friday Emmanuel; Editing by Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor