Anichebe Blasts Charles Anazodo Over Criticism of Super Eagles
Former Super Eagles striker Victor Anichebe has strongly criticised media personality Charles Anazodo following comments about Nigeria’s players over unpaid bonuses at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Before Nigeria’s quarter-final match against Algeria, reports emerged that the Super Eagles threatened to boycott training over unpaid win bonuses. The issue sparked public debate, with Anazodo openly condemning the players’ approach and withdrawing his support for the team, even if they go on to win the tournament.
Anazodo compared the current squad with Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold-winning team, saying those players made sacrifices and played on despite not being paid. He questioned why the present group could not do the same.
Anichebe, however, reacted angrily to Anazodo’s comments, saying the players were wrongly blamed instead of the Nigerian Football Federation.
The former Everton and West Bromwich Albion striker wrote:
“All these people should just shut up. I’m sick and tired of them all.”
He added:
“Nigeria is a country where people can sell their integrity for peanuts. The reason people push these narratives and talk utter nonsense is that they’re desperate to stay in good graces with the government/wealthy individuals for handouts.”
Anichebe continued:
“The irony is that if you have integrity and stand for something, you will be respected in those rooms.”
This is not the first time Anichebe has spoken out against football authorities in Nigeria. After the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following elimination by DR Congo, he made similar comments about leadership and structure in Nigerian football.
At the time, Anichebe said:
“Despite the shame and frustration of failing to qualify, this might actually be the turning point we need for long-term progress.”
He added:
“Too many people still don’t grasp the real issue. It isn’t just about corruption or misuse of funds solely, although those matters.”
According to him, the bigger problem lies elsewhere:
“At its core, it’s about deep, chronic incompetence. We keep placing people in key positions who have no strategic plan, no experience in high-performance environments and no understanding of what sustainable success truly requires.”
Anichebe concluded with a call for serious reform, saying:
“Real change demands selflessness, long-term thinking, and building foundations that won’t produce instant rewards. It means trusting a process rather than chasing quick fixes.”
He finished by stating:
“If we want serious outcomes, we must start having serious conversations that lead to serious decisions.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are preparing for their AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against hosts Morocco on Wednesday.
