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 Remaining 2025.
Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles had been eradicated from the finals on Wednesday evening after shedding 4–2 on penalties to host nation Morocco in a intently contested semifinal on the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The match ended stage after regulation time.
In an announcement posted on his official social media account, Rabiu described the workforce’s effort as brave and deserving of nationwide recognition.
“You fought together with your hearts, gave your all, and confirmed true braveness on the pitch,” Rabiu wrote. “Each Nigerian is pleased with you.”
Rabiu mentioned the monetary pledge, first introduced earlier within the competitors, could be honored in full as an acknowledgement of the workforce’s dedication and the sense of unity it generated amongst Nigerians at residence and overseas.
What he mentioned
He careworn that the spirit, ardour and unity displayed by the workforce had been what actually mattered.
He famous that the gamers gave the whole lot 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 exceptional journey.
“Typically, even our greatest efforts don’t carry the result we hope for, however the spirit, ardour, and unity you displayed are what actually matter.
“You left the whole lot on the sphere, and that’s worthy of celebration. As a token of appreciation on your exceptional journey and energy, I’m nonetheless going forward to satisfy the pledge of $500,000 USD. That is in recognition of your onerous work, dedication, and the enjoyment you have got dropped at our nation.”
Based on him, the gesture was in recognition of their onerous work, dedication and the enjoyment they dropped at the nation.
He additionally mentioned Nigeria went into the semi-final as one of many event’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 finally undone within the penalty shootout because the hosts transformed 4 of their kicks to succeed in the ultimate.
“Nigeria entered the semifinal as one of many event’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 in the end undone in the course of the shootout, because the hosts transformed 4 of their penalties to safe a spot within the closing.”
The loss marked one other close to miss for Nigeria on the continental stage, extending the workforce’s anticipate an AFCON title since its final triumph in 2013.
What it is best to know
Early within the event, Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of the BUA Group, introduced a $1.5 million incentive package deal to spur the workforce 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 assist in Nigerian soccer, the place funding gaps have incessantly sophisticated event preparations.
Rabiu’s pledge got here towards the backdrop of reported unrest inside 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-known subject within the administration of the nationwide workforce.
The standoff raised issues a few doable disruption to Nigeria’s AFCON marketing campaign at a essential second. Nonetheless, the scenario was resolved following intervention by the federal authorities.
Offering clarification, Shehu Dikko, chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, mentioned President Bola Tinubu had authorized the Tremendous Eagles’ full AFCON 2025 price range on November 14, 2025, aligning the NSC, the Nigeria Soccer Federation, and the gamers. He described the delay as administrative reasonably than political.
Be First to Comment