Sports
NSC Chair Dikko Vows to End Salary Delays for Nigerian Coaches, Players
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has pledged to permanently resolve the recurring delays in the payment of salaries and bonuses owed to Nigerian coaches and athletes, blaming the issue on bureaucratic funding processes rather than deliberate neglect.
Dikko gave the assurance on Friday while speaking on Arise News’ Morning Show, amid reports that Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, is allegedly owed about three months’ salaries and bonuses ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While acknowledging that payment delays occasionally occur, the NSC chairman insisted that no coach or player is intentionally owed, explaining that the problem usually arises from gaps in the processes of fund approval, release, and final disbursement.
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“There are times the coach is paid in advance, and there are times there are delays. Approving funds, releasing funds, and paying funds are different processes. Sometimes there are delays along the chain, but nobody is owed deliberately,” Dikko said.
He noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) has intervened to support the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in meeting its financial obligations, adding that steps are being taken to settle any outstanding entitlements.
Dikko further revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing future payment delays, which have previously led to protests, low morale, and embarrassment for Nigeria in international competitions.
According to him, the President has directed that all sports-related funding be fully captured in the national budget and treated as a priority charge, ensuring immediate availability of funds once the budget is signed.
“Sports funding is time-sensitive. When competition dates are fixed, you cannot afford delays. Funds budgeted for sports will now be released immediately and set aside for access when needed,” he stated.
The NSC chairman also disclosed that sports funds currently spread across multiple government agencies will be consolidated under the National Sports Commission, a move he said would strengthen funding capacity and improve financial stability across sports federations.
Dikko expressed confidence that the new funding framework would restore trust among athletes and coaches, stressing that timely payment is crucial to performance and Nigeria’s sporting reputation.
He assured Nigerians that with the reforms now in place, issues of unpaid salaries and bonuses would soon become a thing of the past in the country’s sports sector.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have unveiled a striking new 10-star jersey ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), celebrating the team’s unparalleled success on the African continent.
The newly designed kit features 10 stars encircling the team’s badge, with each star representing one of Nigeria’s 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
The symbolic design reflects the Super Falcons’ legacy as the most successful side in the history of the competition.
READ MORE: Germany Appoint Jurgen Klopp as New National Team Head Coach
The nine-time defending champions first wore the special jersey during Thursday’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, giving supporters a glimpse of the new look ahead of the continental showpiece.
Justin Madugu’s team will now turn its attention to Morocco, where it will be aiming to capture a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and further cement its dominance in African women’s football.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to begin on Saturday, with Nigeria opening its title defence against tournament debutants Malawi on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
See the jersey below
The German Football Association (DFB) has officially appointed former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp as the new head coach of the country’s men’s national football team.
Klopp, 59, replaces Julian Nagelsmann, who departed following Germany’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference in Frankfurt by DFB President Bernd Neuendorf.
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Neuendorf confirmed that Klopp has signed a contract that will run until the summer of 2030, keeping him in charge through the next FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. He added that Klopp will officially assume his new role on August 15.
Speaking during the unveiling, Neuendorf expressed confidence that Klopp is the right man to restore Germany’s status as one of world football’s elite nations.
Germany’s latest World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The exit marked the country’s third consecutive poor World Cup performance since lifting the trophy for a fourth time in Brazil in 2014.
The four-time world champions also failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 editions, while their only knockout victory in the last five major tournaments came during Euro 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals on home soil.
Klopp had previously indicated his interest in leading the national team after Nagelsmann’s departure earlier this month.
Widely regarded as one of football’s most successful managers, Klopp built his reputation at Mainz before guiding Borussia Dortmund to domestic success.
He later transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s dominant clubs, winning multiple major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League.
Germany will now look to Klopp to oversee a long-term rebuild and guide the national team back to competing for major international honours.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
RELATED NEWS: BREAKING: Spain Dethrone Argentina to Win 2026 FIFA World Cup
According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
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