Posted by Samuel on Mon 24th Nov, 2025 - tori.ng
Speaking on the state of the team, Yakubu noted that some players are still owed payments dating back to 2019, including arrears from AFCON and recent World Cup qualifiers.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the former Super Eagles striker, has praised the current national team players for their resilience in the face of long-standing issues with unpaid bonuses and allowances.
Speaking on the state of the team, Yakubu noted that some players are still owed payments dating back to 2019, including arrears from AFCON and recent World Cup qualifiers.
He described their continued commitment as admirable, saying, “I think those guys are nice, because you can’t play 31 games and still no payment.”
He compared the situation to his playing days, recalling how senior players such as Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu would refuse to train until outstanding payments were settled, often just before key matches.
The discussion follows a brief standoff on November 11 in Rabat, when the current squad hesitated to train ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Gabon over unpaid entitlements. The matter was later resolved through discussions, underscoring persistent financial challenges as Nigeria pushes toward the 2026 World Cup.