Peter Obi laments Super Eagles denied match allowances ahead of crucial quarter-final
Peter Obi has condemned the failure to pay Super Eagles players their match allowances ahead of tonight's AFCON quarter-final clash. In a post on his verified X handle Wednesday morning, the former Labour Party presidential candidate called the situation an avoidable embarrassment that threatens team morale.
"A country that writes off trillions in debts for government agencies and political allies, and squanders money on grandiose, self-serving projects, now struggles to pay the basic match bonuses owed to our players," Obi wrote. He questioned why Nigeria could not honor "previously agreed-upon allowances" when the team is "lifting our spirits worldwide."
The Super Eagles face Tunisia in the AFCON 2025 quarter-final tonight. Players reportedly refused to travel for the earlier Algeria group-stage game over unpaid bonuses, indicating the issue has been ongoing. Obi's intervention highlights a pattern of financial mismanagement that embarrasses the nation during high-stakes international competitions.
With kickoff hours away, will this distraction affect the team's performance, or can the players compartmentalize and deliver for millions of Nigerian supporters watching worldwide?