By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, Philip Shaibu, has expressed satisfaction that tensions which briefly disrupted the Super Eagles’ camp after their emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique have now eased.

Speaking with Sports Village Square in Casablanca, Shaibu acknowledged that striker Victor Osimhen had a legitimate grievance but felt the forward’s reaction during the match was excessive.

The former footballer and immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State said he could relate to Osimhen’s frustration, recalling similar experiences from his playing days when teammates failed to deliver passes despite clear scoring opportunities.

“I would have also been upset in such a situation, but Osimhen overreacted,” said Shaibu, a former Bendel Insurance player.

He explained that the flashpoint against Mozambique was the culmination of tensions that had been simmering within the Super Eagles camp for some time.

According to Shaibu, the immediate incident did not primarily involve Ademola Lookman, but rather defender Bruno Onyemaechi, who failed to release the ball to Osimhen despite the striker being in a favourable position, with Nigeria already three goals ahead.

“Osimhen moved towards Bruno in anger before Lookman stepped in to calm him down,” Shaibu said. “Osimhen then told Lookman that he too had been denying him goal-scoring passes.”

Shaibu added that similar frustrations had surfaced earlier, referencing the World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in Uyo and the game against DR Congo, where Osimhen signalled the bench to substitute him.

He confirmed that team talks had since been held within the camp and stressed that all outstanding issues have now been resolved, restoring harmony as the Super Eagles continue their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

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By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

Just as efforts were underway to calm the reported spat between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, another familiar storm has broken in the Nigerian camp—an unresolved bonus dispute—casting a shadow over preparations for Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria in Marrakech.

Europe-based Nigerian journalist Oluwashina Okeleji reported on Wednesday that the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to pay win bonuses owed to players and the coaching staff for four matches at the tournament—against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Mozambique.

According to Okeleji, while the squad remains focused on the task ahead, the players and officials have resolved not to train or embark on the scheduled trip from Fes to Marrakech on Thursday unless the payments are settled.
“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,” Okeleji wrote in a social media post.

The development comes at a delicate moment for the Nigeria Super Eagles, who face the Algeria national football team in a high-stakes quarter-final at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.

Bonus-related crises have long dogged Nigerian sports, frequently resurfacing at critical junctures and often with damaging consequences on performance.

Allowance-Induced Turmoil in Nigerian Sports (Selected Incidents)

• October 1981: After a shock 0–2 home loss to Algeria in Spain ’82 World Cup qualifying, home-based players threatened to boycott the return leg unless paid ₦5,000 each—parity with foreign-based invitees. Nigeria crashed out 4–1 on aggregate.
• August 1989: Super Eagles players staged a six-hour hotel sit-in, refusing to board a flight to Yaoundé for a 1990 World Cup qualifier. Nigeria lost and were eliminated.
• June 1998: On the eve of their Round of 16 match at the World Cup, players revolted over allowances. Nigeria slumped 1–4 to Denmark the next day.
• January 2001: After a 3–0 win over Sudan in a World Cup qualifier, players declined a state dinner until allowances were delivered to them at Port Harcourt’s Hotel Presidential.
• January 2002: A scheduled friendly with Egypt was cancelled on the eve of the match due to unpaid allowances.
• August 2003: Nigerian women athletes boycotted the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the World Athletics Championships in Paris over allowance disputes.
• October 2004: Super Falcons remained holed up in a South African hotel for almost a week over unpaid entitlements; late coach Godwin Izilien was never paid.
• June 2013: Super Eagles refused to leave their hotel in Namibia for two days en route to South Africa ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup.
• June 2014: Players boycotted training and threatened to skip their Round of 16 World Cup tie with France in Brazil over allowances. Emergency funds were dispatched by President Goodluck Jonathan; Nigeria lost the match.
• December 2016: Super Falcons protested unpaid allowances after winning the African Women Championship for a record eighth time.
• November 2025: Super Eagles boycotted training before a CAF World Cup play-off and later crashed out after losing the decisive match to DR Congo.

As Nigeria chase continental glory in Morocco, the persistence of off-field disputes once again threatens to derail on-field ambitions.

RELATED STORY: Clear and Present Danger Looms https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2025/11/12/clear-and-present-danger-looms-ahead-of-gabon-clash/

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Top of Form

Bottom of Form

By Kunle Solaja, Fes enroute Casablanca

Seven former champions and Mali have secured places in the quarter-finals as the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 enters its decisive phase, setting the stage for a sequence of heavyweight encounters across the country.

The last-eight line-up was confirmed on Tuesday night following the conclusion of a compelling Round of 16 that lived up to the tournament’s reputation for drama and intensity.

Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire and record seven-time winners Egypt headline an imposing cast that also includes former champions Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria, alongside ambitious West African challengers Mali and tournament hosts Morocco.

Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history, booked their passage with a hard-fought extra-time victory over Benin, underlining their enduring pedigree at the continental showpiece. Holders Côte d’Ivoire kept alive hopes of a successful title defence with a commanding 3–0 win over Burkina Faso.

Backed by passionate home support, Morocco edged past Tanzania to advance, continuing their strong run following their historic achievement as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup. Senegal, champions in 2021, maintained their impressive consistency by overcoming Sudan, while Mali again showcased their resilience by defeating Tunisia on penalties despite playing long spells with ten men.

Nigeria underlined their attacking authority with a dominant victory over Mozambique, inspired by a brace from Victor Osimhen, while Algeria needed extra time to see off DR Congo, substitute Adil Boulbina striking late to seal qualification.

The quarter-final line-up promises a series of mouthwatering contests. A standout tie pits Egypt against defending champions Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, renewing a classic rivalry between two of Africa’s most decorated sides.

Hosts Morocco face a stern examination against five-time champions Cameroon on Friday, in what is expected to be one of the tournament’s most intense fixtures.

An all–West African showdown opens the quarter-finals as Senegal meet Mali on Friday afternoon, while Nigeria and Algeria clash in a battle of continental heavyweights in Saturday’s early kick-off.

With the competition now firmly in its home stretch, the quarter-finals will be played over two days, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals as the race for continental supremacy gathers pace in Morocco.

AFCON 2025 Quarter-final Fixtures

(All kick-off times are local time in Morocco)

Friday, 9 January
17:00 — Mali vs Senegal
20:00 — Cameroon vs Morocco

Saturday, 10 January
17:00 — Algeria vs Nigeria
20:00 — Egypt vs Côte d’IvoireJoin the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H