Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has commended Nigeria’s current national team players for their determination despite ongoing issues with unpaid bonuses and allowances.
Speaking on the team’s situation, Yakubu highlighted that some players are still owed payments dating back to 2019, including arrears from AFCON tournaments and recent World Cup qualifiers. “I think those guys are nice, because you can’t play 31 games and still no payment,” he said.
Reflecting on his own playing days, Yakubu recalled how senior players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu would sometimes refuse to train until outstanding payments were cleared, often just ahead of crucial matches.
The comments follow a brief standoff on November 11 in Rabat, when the Super Eagles initially hesitated to train ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Gabon over unpaid entitlements. The issue was later resolved through discussions, highlighting persistent financial challenges as Nigeria prepares for the 2026 World Cup campaign.