Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign may have ended before the final, but the Super Eagles will still receive a significant financial boost after confirmation that a promised bonus will be honoured.
Billionaire businessman and BUA Group chairman Abdulsamad Rabiu announced that the national team would collect the full $500,000 reward, despite their semi-final elimination by tournament hosts Morocco.
The announcement followed Nigeria’s narrow exit from the competition, a result that denied them a place in the final but did not diminish the effort shown throughout the tournament.
Rabiu made it clear that performance, commitment and attitude mattered more than the final outcome. He praised the players for representing the country with pride and resilience on the continental stage.
In a message addressed directly to the squad, Rabiu highlighted the character displayed by the Super Eagles during their run.
He described their performances as courageous and disciplined, noting the determination shown in every match.
According to the industrialist, the team’s fighting spirit and collective unity reflected values that extend beyond football and resonated across the nation.
Rabiu also underlined a broader lesson drawn from the tournament. He stressed that success does not always arrive immediately, either in sport or in life.
He pointed to the unity, passion and togetherness within the Nigerian camp as achievements in their own right, insisting that these qualities form the foundation for future triumphs.
“Sometimes our best efforts do not produce the desired result,” Rabiu wrote on social media. “But the spirit of sacrifice, passion and unity that you have shown are essential.
You gave everything on the field, and that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.” His words reinforced his long-standing support for Nigerian football and for the current generation of players.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament still offers one final opportunity to close on a high note. Nigeria will face Egypt in the third-place match, scheduled for 4:00 PM GMT at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
The encounter presents a chance to secure a podium finish and restore momentum after the disappointment of the semi-final defeat.
While the dream of lifting the AFCON trophy slipped away, the confirmed bonus serves as both recognition and motivation.
It rewards effort, honours commitment and sends a clear message of belief in the team’s future.
As Nigeria prepare for their final match, the support from home remains firm, and the Super Eagles continue their quest to end AFCON 2025 with pride.
