Nigeria are dealing with reports of unpaid bonuses and the Victor Osimhen spat before facing Algeria in the AFCON quarter-finals.
Published January 9, 2026
Nigeria’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Algeria have been hampered by speculation about infighting over star striker Victor Osimhen and reports that players have not been paid bonuses.
Nigeria coach Eric Schell did not comment on Friday’s reports, saying such questions should be directed to the Nigeria Football Federation.
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“This is my job: to stay focused, to try to stay focused, to stay focused only on the pitch (field), definitely my job is on the pitch and not around it,” Shell said in Marrakech on the eve of Nigeria’s match against Algeria in Marrakech.
One year and one day after appointing Schell as head coach, the NFF is still advertising the vacant position of head coach for the men’s team.
Nigerian media reported that the players threatened not to practice or travel to Marrakech for the match unless they were paid an agreed bonus if they won the first four games of the African Cup.
The team arrived in Marrakech on Thursday and held their first training session there on the same day. Shell said he would train again later Friday.
Shell declined to comment on reports that Osimhen was on the verge of leaving the team after an on-field altercation with teammate Ademola Lookman during the Super Eagles’ 4-0 win over Mozambique in the last 16 on Monday.
“I prefer to talk about the (upcoming) games. Victor is there, that’s all,” Schell said. “Yes, everyone is talking about Osimhen and Lookman, that is normal. They are the last two best African players, but we are here to score for them and we are working for them. We are a team and it is all about teamwork.”
Osimhen scored both of Lookman’s goals in this game, but was apparently furious that Lookman tried to score without setting up another goal.
Asked about it after the game, Lookman downplayed the argument, saying it was “just football” and calling Osimhen his “little brother.”
Lookman then posted a photo of himself celebrating with Osimhen on social media with the caption, “Always together.”
Nigeria, who lost to Ivory Coast in the final of the last tournament, is aiming for its fourth championship. This will help make up for the disappointment of not qualifying for the World Cup.
Algeria’s two titles have both come with wins over Nigeria along the way, twice in 1990 and another in the semi-finals in 2019.
