Flying Eagles Players Demand Outstanding Bonuses

Flying Eagles Players Demand Outstanding Bonuses, Camp Allowances From NFF
2023 and 2025 squads await payments from multiple major tournaments.
NFF assures substantial payments, citing ongoing preparations for elective congress.

Players of Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team have called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle unpaid qualification bonuses and camp allowances from major tournaments over the past three years.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that members of the Flying Eagles squads from 2023 and 2025 said they are yet to receive payments linked to six competitions, including the WAFU B Cup, the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The arrears also cover approximately 65 days of pre-tournament camp allowances.

Under coach Ladan Bosso, the 2023 team won the WAFU B Cup, reached the AFCON semi-finals, and qualified for the World Cup, where they lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals. Two years later, Aliyu Zubair’s squad again qualified for AFCON and the World Cup after defeating Senegal on penalties in the AFCON quarter-finals. They finished fourth at the continental tournament and exited the World Cup in the round of 16 against Argentina.

A federation source told Punch that the agreed qualification bonus was $5,000 per player and official per tournament, alongside $100 daily camp allowances. These payments replaced match bonuses for age-grade teams after the Amaju Pinnick-led board scrapped them in 2017.

Players fear only daily allowances may be paid. “We are told they only want to pay outstanding daily allowances, which may mean avoiding the qualification bonuses. In 2023, about 25 days of allowances are unpaid, roughly $2,500 each, and in 2025, 40 days, around $4,000 each,” one team member said.

Another source noted the debts are being addressed ahead of the NFF’s elective congress. “At the last executive meeting, they said it was important to reduce some debts, especially at the Flying Eagles level, so it will not be used against them during elections,” the source said.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi dismissed claims that payments would be ignored. “If I were them, I would have waited to see. What evidence do they have that the NFF is planning to neglect part of the money?” he said, adding that while full settlement may not be immediate, “a substantial amount will be paid.”

Flying Eagles Players Demand Outstanding Bonuses

The federation has faced similar bonus disputes involving the Super Eagles after the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 World Cup play-offs. In 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Sports summoned top officials over unpaid Flying Eagles bonuses and allowances.