Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group, has mentioned he would proceed with a beforehand introduced $500,000 reward.
That is regardless of Nigeria not making it to the Africa Cup of Nations Closing 2025.
Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles had been eradicated from the finals on Wednesday night time after dropping 4–2 on penalties to host nation Morocco in a intently contested semifinal on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The match ended degree after regulation time.
In a press release posted on his official social media account, Rabiu described the group’s effort as brave and deserving of nationwide recognition.
“You fought along with your hearts, gave your all, and confirmed true braveness on the pitch,” Rabiu wrote. “Each Nigerian is happy with you.”
Rabiu mentioned the {financial} pledge, first introduced earlier within the competitors, can be honored in full as an acknowledgement of the group’s dedication and the sense of unity it generated amongst Nigerians at dwelling and overseas.
He confused that the spirit, ardour and unity displayed by the group had been what really mattered.
He famous that the gamers gave all the things on the sphere, describing the trouble as worthy of celebration, and introduced that he would nonetheless fulfil his pledge of $500,000 as a token of appreciation for his or her outstanding journey.
“Generally, even our greatest efforts don’t convey the end result we hope for, however the spirit, ardour, and unity you displayed are what really matter.
“You left all the things on the sphere, and that’s worthy of celebration. As a token of appreciation in your outstanding journey and energy, I’m nonetheless going forward to meet the pledge of $500,000 USD. That is in recognition of your laborious work, dedication, and the enjoyment you’ve gotten delivered to our nation.”
In line with him, the gesture was in recognition of their laborious work, dedication and the enjoyment they delivered to the nation.
He additionally mentioned Nigeria went into the semi-final as one of many match’s most constant groups, constructed on a disciplined defence and fast counter-attacks, however regardless of holding their very own towards Morocco in open play, the Tremendous Eagles had been ultimately undone within the penalty shootout because the hosts transformed 4 of their kicks to achieve the ultimate.
“Nigeria entered the semifinal as one of many match’s most constant groups, counting on a disciplined protection and fast counterattacks. Towards Morocco, the Tremendous Eagles held their very own in open play however had been finally undone through the shootout, because the hosts transformed 4 of their penalties to safe a spot within the remaining.”
The loss marked one other close to miss for Nigeria on the continental degree, extending the group’s look forward to an AFCON title since its final triumph in 2013.
Early within the match, Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of the BUA Group, introduced a $1.5 million incentive package deal to spur the group towards a fourth continental title. The pledge was performance-based: $500,000 for profitable the semifinal and reaching the ultimate, and an extra $1 million if Nigeria went on to raise the trophy.
The announcement drew public consideration and highlighted the rising function of private-sector help in Nigerian soccer, the place funding gaps have regularly difficult match preparations.
Rabiu’s pledge got here towards the backdrop of reported unrest throughout the Tremendous Eagles camp. Forward of the quarterfinals, gamers had been mentioned to have threatened to boycott coaching and journey preparations over unpaid bonuses and allowances, a well-recognized problem within the administration of the nationwide group.
The standoff raised considerations a few potential disruption to Nigeria’s AFCON marketing campaign at a essential second. Nonetheless, the state of affairs was resolved following intervention by the federal authorities.
Offering clarification, Shehu Dikko, chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, mentioned President Bola Tinubu had accredited the Tremendous Eagles’ full AFCON 2025 funds on November 14, 2025, aligning the NSC, the Nigeria Soccer Federation, and the gamers. He described the delay as administrative somewhat than political.
