Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, has reaffirmed his commitment to reward the Super Eagles with the promised $500,000, even after the team fell short of winning the Africa Cup of Nations.
The billionaire industrialist made the announcement on Thursday through a post on his official Instagram account, where he commended the national team for their determination and unity throughout the competition.
Rabiu said the players displayed admirable grit and commitment on the field, adding that although the trophy eluded them, their performance inspired pride and admiration among Nigerians at home and abroad.
READ ALSO: ‘Nigeria Remains Proud Of You’, FG Tells Super Eagles After AFCON Semi-Final Exit
“To our brave Super Eagles, You fought with your hearts, gave your all, and showed true courage and determination on the pitch. Though it wasn’t meant to be this time, you have made every Nigerian proud.
“Sometimes, even our best efforts don’t bring the outcome we hope for, but the spirit, passion, and unity you displayed are what truly matter. You left everything on the field, and that is worthy of celebration.
“As a token of appreciation for your remarkable journey and effort, I am still going ahead to fulfill the pledge of $500,000 USD. This is in recognition of your hard work, dedication, and the joy you have brought to our nation.
“Keep your heads high, Super Eagles – the experience, lessons, and spirit will fuel even greater success next time. Nigeria will always be proud of you, and we believe in your future victories! the statement read.
Nigeria bowed out of the 2025 AFCON on Wednesday after losing to Morocco’s Atlas Lions in a tense penalty shootout, a result that sent the North African side through to the final.
The Federal Government has praised the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit and commendable showing at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite their narrow loss that ended Nigeria’s campaign.
Nigeria bowed out of the 2025 AFCON on Wednesday after losing to Morocco’s Atlas Lions in a tense penalty shootout, a result that sent the North African side through to the final.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Super Eagles’ performance reflected discipline, unity and resilience, values he noted resonate strongly with the Nigerian spirit.
READ ALSO: Morocco Beat Gallant Super Eagles On Penalties To Reach AFCON Final
He added that the team’s determination throughout the tournament remained a source of pride for the country, regardless of the outcome.
“Even in defeat, you showed character, teamwork, and resilience, and those qualities matter deeply to the nation you represent.
“Football has its highs and lows, but your effort, commitment, and fighting spirit throughout this tournament have earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians at home and abroad.
“You reminded us that wearing the green and white is about courage, unity, and never giving up. Hold your heads high. Learn from this experience, stay united, and return stronger.
“Nigeria remains proud of you and grateful for the joy and hope you gave us during this competition. Well done, Super Eagles. The nation stands with you, always,” the statement read in part.
Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Football’s global governing body FIFA said Wednesday it had received more than 500 million requests for tickets to this year’s World Cup despite rumbling controversy over sky-high prices to attend the event.
FIFA said in a statement it had received applications from fans in all of its 211 member nations and territories for the tournament staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The window for submitting requests to be entered in a lottery, which will allocate tickets, closed on Tuesday. FIFA said fans would be notified of whether their requests had been successful “no earlier than 5 February.”
Outside of the tournament’s host nations, FIFA said the heaviest demand came from fans in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.
The most requested ticket was Colombia’s clash with Portugal in Miami on June 27, followed by Mexico’s game against South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18, and the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19.
“Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. “I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response.”
“Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums.”
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FIFA has faced sharp criticism over its ticket pricing strategy for the 48-team tournament, with fan groups branding the cost as “extortionate” and “astronomical.”
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said ticket prices were almost five times higher than at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Those criticisms prompted FIFA to introduce a new category of cut-price tickets in December, set at 60 US dollars (51 euros) each.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves in the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time.
Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
There was joy but also relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nigeria’s forward #11 Samuel Chukwueze reacts after missing a penalty during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
Morocco will now play Senegal on Sunday after the Lions of Teranga defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier thanks to a Sadio Mane goal.
That will be a clash between the top two African sides in the FIFA world rankings and a fitting showpiece for the tournament.
Morocco’s forward #10 Brahim Diaz celebrates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Walid Regragui’s Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century but will be confident of coming out on top with their support behind them at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco’s goalkeeper #01 Yassine Bounou and Morocco’s forward #10 Brahim Diaz celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final football match between Nigeria and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat on January 14, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
But as their dream remains alive it is an agonising way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
Arsenal ruined Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s first home game as they moved closer to Wembley with a 3-2 win in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Rosenior’s side had beaten second-tier Charlton 5-1 in his debut in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
But Arsenal ensured his first game on the Stamford Bridge bench was significantly less enjoyable.
Ben White put the Premier League leaders ahead in the first half and Viktor Gyokeres punished a blunder by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to score their second after the interval.
Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to pull one back for Chelsea before Martin Zubimendi grabbed Arsenal’s third goal.
Garnacho gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope with his second goal in the closing stages.
But Arsenal will go into the second leg at Emirates Stadium on February 3 as firm favourites to reach the Wembley final in March.
Manchester City won 2-0 at Newcastle in the first leg of the other semi-final on Tuesday.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions as they try to win their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had claimed his players were motivated by their 4-0 aggregate defeat against Newcastle in the League Cup semi-finals last season.
They also lost in the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions League, the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League.
Top of the Premier League and Champions League, and through to the FA Cup fourth round, Arsenal may never have a better chance to end their silverware drought.
Rosenior, sacked by Hull in 2024, was hired by Chelsea last week to replace Enzo Maresca after earning plaudits for leading French club Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish last season.
The 41-year-old’s introduction to Stamford Bridge was hampered by the absence of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto due to a combination of injuries, illness and suspension.
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Chelsea’s English defender #23 Trevoh Chalobah and Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard vie in the air to header the ball after a corner during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, in London on January 14, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)
Despite saying he had been focused on playing Arsenal since the moment he took charge last week, Chelsea looked completely unprepared as they were caught cold in the seventh minute.
Arsenal’s set-piece prowess has become their most essential attacking quality over the last two seasons and Rosenior became their latest victim in the seventh minute.
Declan Rice curled a corner into the six-yard box and when Sanchez mistimed his attempt to catch the ball, the unmarked White had time and space to guide a downwards header into the net.
White’s first goal since 2024, when he netted against Chelsea, was Arsenal’s 24th from set-pieces — including 18 at corners — in all competitions this season, the most by any club in Europe’s top five leagues.
Chelsea tried to respond but Kepa Arrizabalaga saved from Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 49th minute thanks to Sanchez’s howler.
White’s low cross should have been easy for Sanchez, but he let it slip through his grasp and Gyokeres tapped into the empty net for his first goal in open play in 16 games.
It was a rare moment of vindication for the much-maligned Sweden striker, who has scored just eight times in 26 appearances since arriving from Sporting Lisbon last year.
Rosenior sent on Garnacho for Marc Guiu and the change made an immediate impact.
Garnacho struck in the 57th minute, drilling home from close range after Arsenal failed to clear.
Zubimendi restored the Gunners’ two-goal advantage in the 71st minute.
The Spain midfielder took Gyokeres’ lay-off and cleverly worked space for a clinical finish from 10 yards.
