By Afolabi Johnson
Nigeria international John Noble has admitted that he is struggling with depression over his $25,000 unpaid 2021 Africa Cup of Nations bonus, while appealing to the Nigeria Football Federation to do the needful.
Unlike other Super Eagles’ colleagues, the Enyimba goalkeeper – the only Nigeria Professional Football League star in coach Augustine Eguavoen’s squad – is yet to get paid.
“I have been battling with depression for months over my unpaid Afcon bonus, but I feel this is the right time to talk about it,” a sobbing Noble told Soccernet.ng in a no-holds-barred interview.
“I feel miserable knowing that the NFF settled the female national teams’ outstanding bills last month. Honestly, I can’t comprehend what is going on and why I haven’t been paid up till now.
“Maybe someone is holding on to my money or maybe it’s because of something else. That remains a mystery. I feel really bad every day and this gets to me knowing fully well that I worked for this money.
“I have been reaching out to the NFF since last year and all they tell me is ‘hold on’. I have been waiting. I have reached out to the NFF president [Ibrahim Gusau] and those who I know are in charge, but nothing has been done.”
Ahmed Musa, captain of the Nigeria men’s senior national team, tried to exonerate the NFF and told veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana that the goalkeeper had submitted a wrong account number as the reason for the delay in Noble’s money being processed.
However, the 29-year-old goalkeeper claims that assertion is wrong, insisting he had never changed his bank details since his maiden call-up.
Noble reiterated: “I have never submitted a wrong account number. This is the same account where I got my Afcon 2021 camp allowances through the secretary.
