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Nigerian billionaire Abdulsamad Rabiu has promised a string of cash rewards for the Super Eagles after the national team beat Algeria, offering bonuses that rise with each step toward the trophy and with every goal the players score.
Rabiu, an industrialist whose companies span cement and sugar, laid out the incentives in a message posted on X as Nigerians celebrated the victory and looked ahead to the semifinals. He described the result as a lift for the country’s mood and urged the players to keep pushing.
“To encourage you,” Rabiu wrote, “I pledge USD $500,000 to the players upon winning the semi-final, with an additional USD $50,000 for every goal scored.”
He said the offer would grow if Nigeria reaches the championship match. Rabiu pledged an additional $1 million if the Super Eagles win the final, plus $100,000 for each goal scored in that match. Taken together, the base pledges total $1.5 million, before any goal related bonuses are added.
The announcement drew quick reactions online, where football remains a national rallying point in a country of more than 200 million people. Supporters praised the promise as a morale booster and a public show of confidence in the squad at a tense stage of the tournament.
The Super Eagles are among Africa’s most followed teams and one of its most successful, with a long history of deep runs in continental competition. Their matches regularly stop traffic, fill viewing centers and dominate social media feeds during knockout rounds.
Cash pledges from wealthy individuals, state governments and corporate sponsors have become a familiar part of Nigeria’s football story. Such promises often follow major wins and are framed as gestures of patriotism as much as performance pay.
The pledge did not specify timing or how payments would be handled. Rabiu did not publicly name the competition, but his wording pointed to a semifinal and a final.
Analysts say incentives can cut both ways. Extra rewards may sharpen focus, but they can also add pressure or feed disputes over how money is distributed. Nigeria’s football authorities have faced occasional criticism over delayed bonuses and the handling of player payments, making transparency a recurring demand from fans.
Rabiu’s post struck a nationalistic note, calling the players “our Super Eagles” and signing off as “Proudly Nigerian.” He wrote that the team had “lifted the spirit of the nation” and wished them continued success as they carry Nigeria forward.
Nigeria now turns to its semifinal matchup, with fans hoping the team can convert momentum into another win. The promise of extra money adds another storyline to a run already charged with expectation.
