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NFF Reacts As Flying Eagles Laments Unpaid N1.5bn Bonuses

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Some members of the 2023 and 2025 sets of Nigeria’s men’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have called on the Nigeria Football Federation to settle all their outstanding qualification bonuses and camp allowances for major tournaments over the past three years, Tidesports source reports.

The Tidesports source understands that the two squads, which featured in the WAFU B Cup, U-20 AFCON and the U-20 World Cup in 2023 and 2025, are still owed qualification bonuses for participating in six major tournaments within the period, as well as pre-tournament camp allowances covering about 65 days.

Led by coach Ladan Bosso, the Flying Eagles qualified for the 2023 U-20 AFCON and also beat the Benin Republic in the final of the WAFU B Cup. They finished third at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt and also qualified for the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, where they were beaten by South Korea in the quarter-finals.

Two years later, under coach Aliyu Zubair, the team lost the WAFU B Cup final 1–0 to Ivory Coast but had already done enough to qualify for the U-20 AFCON. They defeated Senegal on penalties to reach the semi-finals and secure a World Cup ticket. They eventually finished fourth at the tournament before being eliminated at the World Cup in Chile after a 4–0 defeat to Argentina in the round of 16.

According to a source within the federation, the promised qualification bonus for each tournament was $5,000 per player and member of the backroom staff, while pre-tournament camp allowances were $100 per day.

The Tidesports source further understands that the NFF promised the teams qualification bonuses after the Amaju Pinnick-led board scrapped match bonuses for all age-grade teams in 2017.

However, some team members claim the NFF is only interested in paying daily allowances and not the qualification bonuses.

“We have information that they don’t want to pay all the money. We are told Tidesports source they only want to pay the outstanding daily allowances, which may mean avoiding the qualification bonuses. In 2023, there are about 25 days of outstanding allowances, which is about $2,500 each, and in 2025, there are about 40 days, amounting to $4,000 each,” one of the members of the team said.

Another source told The PU that the NFF is moving to offset the debts ahead of its elective congress.

“At the last executive meeting, they said it was important to reduce some of the debts, especially at the Flying Eagles level, so it will not be used against them during the elections,” the source said.

In response, the General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, told The Tidesports source that the federation is working to settle the payments accordingly.

“If I were them, I would have waited to see. What evidence do they have that the NFF is planning to neglect part of the money?” Sanusi said.

Asked if the NFF would pay everything soon, he added, “It can’t be all at once, but a substantial amount will be paid. All the matches they took part in were approved, and we are working with that.”

The NFF has also been rocked by bonus issues involving the Super Eagles during the 2025 AFCON and the ill-fated 2026 World Cup playoffs.

In 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Sports also summoned top NFF officials over the Flying Eagles’ bonuses and allowances.

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Rivers United Supporters  Club Chairman Sure To Win League

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The chairman of the Rivers United Supporters Club of Port Harcourt, Sunny Oguh, popularly known as ‘Total’ has said that he is optimistic his club will win the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) trophy this season.
According to him, despite the fact that United is currently occupying second position on the log, he is sure that they will win.
Oguh  said this in an exclusive interview with Tidesport in Port Harcourt, yesterday, saying that what they need is just to will their last away game.
“As chairman of the Rivers United Supporters Club, I have the confidence that the league is our own. We have shown capacity that we will win following the players’ impressive performance,” he said.
He urged fans and Rivers people to give moral support to the team because that’s what the team wants.
“I urge Rivers people and fans to give the team moral support, mostly spiritual support because God is the final answer”, Oguh said.
He used the opportunity to praise the management of the club for managing the club well.
“I must commend the entire management staff for good works they are doing because without good management the players would not have played very well like this”, he stated.
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Oborevwori inspires Warri Wolves to 1–0 win over Plateau United

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As the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) enters its decisive stretch, the presence of the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onos Oborevwori, on Sunday inspired Warri Wolves to a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Plateau United at the Ozoro Township Stadium.

After 36 matches, Rangers International of Enugu lead the standings with 62 points, one ahead of Rivers United, while Shooting Stars of Ibadan sit third with 57 points.

With just two matchdays remaining, the 2025/2026 campaign has been one of the most intense and competitive seasons in recent years. Teams have gone head-to-head in a fierce battle for the title, continental slots, and survival, with several clubs fighting to avoid relegation.

For Warri Wolves—who only recently returned to the top flight after relegation—the season has been a mix of highs and lows. As the campaign nears its conclusion, the Delta State-owned side is pushing to finish strongly.

At the weekend, they took a significant step toward that goal with a narrow win over Plateau United. The victory was buoyed by strong support from Oborevwori, who was pitchside offering encouragement and motivation throughout the game.

Oborevwori has remained a visible and active figure in Delta sports, consistently backing teams and supporting players to achieve better results. In Ozoro, his presence proved influential as Warri Wolves secured the decisive goal that earned them all three points.

The win takes Warri Wolves to 46 points, placing them 12th on the table. With two matches left, they remain in contention for a top-10 finish, with only four points separating teams between eighth and 14th positions.

Determined to see the team finish on a high, Oborevwori has intensified his support, urging the players to win their remaining fixtures and capitalize on results elsewhere.

Speaking after the match, he commended the team’s effort and urged them to maintain the momentum.

“I am proud of the grit and determination shown today by Warri Wolves. Every match is a step forward, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger.ppp

The journey continues, and we stand firmly behind the team.”

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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