Nigeria dealing with reports of unpaid bonuses and Osimhen spat before facing Algeria in Africa Cup

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Nigeria’s preparations for its Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Algeria have been dogged by speculation about internal strife involving star striker Victor Osimhen and reports that the players were not being paid their bonuses.

Nigeria coach Éric Chelle would not comment on the reports Friday, when he said such questions need to be directed to the Nigeria Football Federation.

“This is my job, to stay focused — to try to stay focused — to stay focused about only the pitch (field), and definitely my job is on the pitch, not around,” Chelle said in Marrakech a day before Nigeria plays Algeria in the city.

The NFF still advertises a vacancy for the position of head coach of the men’s team, a year and a day after it appointed Chelle to the position.

Nigerian media outlets reported that the players had threatened not to train or travel to Marrakech for the match unless they were paid agreed bonuses for winning their first four Africa Cup games.

The team arrived in Marrakech on Thursday and had its first training session there the same day. Chelle said they would train again later Friday.

Chelle declined to comment about reports that Osimhen was on the verge of walking out of the team after an on-field argument with teammate Ademola Lookman during the Super Eagles’ 4-0 win over Mozambique in the last 16 on Monday.

“I prefer to speak about the (upcoming) game. Victor is there and that’s all,” Chelle said. “Yes, everyone’s speaking about Osimhen and Lookman, it’s normal, they’re the last two best African players, but we’re here to serve them to score, we’re working for them. We’re a team, and that’s what teamwork is all about.”

Osimhen scored two goals in that match with Lookman involved in both, but apparently he was furious when Lookman tried scoring instead of setting him up for another.

Lookman played down the argument when asked about it post-game, when he said it was “just football” and called Osimhen his “brother.”

Lookman also subsequently posted photos on social media of him celebrating with Osimhen with the caption “together always.”

Nigeria, which lost the final to Ivory Coast in the last edition, is bidding to win the title for the fourth time. It would help make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup.

Both of Algeria’s two titles included wins over Nigeria on the way – twice in 1990 and again in the semifinals in 2019.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle looks out from the bench prior to the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle, right, gives instructions to Nigeria's goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, center, celebrates with Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, right, after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, center, celebrates with Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, front, after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)