Noble Cries Out: I'm Experiencing Depression Over Unpaid AFCON 2021 Bonuses

Noble Cries Out: I'm Experiencing Depression Over Unpaid AFCON 2021 Bonuses

By Tunde David 

Nigerian international John Noble has acknowledged that he is experiencing depression as a result of his $25,000 unpaid bonuses for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and he is pleading with the Nigeria Football Federation to take appropriate actions, BSNSports.com.ng, reports.

Unlike his Super Eagles teammates, the 29-year-old Enyimba goalkeeper is yet to get his compensation; he was the only player on coach Augustine Eguavoen's team who plays in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“I have been battling with depression for months over my unpaid AFCON bonuses, 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 full 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.”

 â€œI have never submitted the wrong account number. This is the same account where I got my AFCON 2021 camp allowances through the secretary.

“Suddenly, it became a wrong account when it got to the time of getting the big one. My bank is even tired of me because I go there every day.

“Right now, I feel emotionally drained knowing well that this money will solve many problems.”

Noble received his first call-up to the Nigerian national team in 2021 as a result of his heroics against Rivers United in the second leg play-off round of the 2020–21 Caf Confederation Cup at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, where he saved two penalties and scored the game-winning goal.

He was one of the three goalkeepers Gernot Rohr selected for the three-time African champions' Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Lesotho and the Benin Republic.