By Our Correspondent
Barau Football Club of Kano has made history, becoming the first African club—and possibly the first in the world—to pay players’ match-winning bonuses before the start of a competitive fixture.
The unprecedented gesture occurred on Sunday, February 2, 2025, when the club paid its players ahead of kick-off in their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 24 encounter against Ikorodu City. Such a move is widely regarded as unheard of in football history.
Speaking on the decision, the club’s General Manager, Dominic Iorfa, explained that match bonuses are intended to serve as motivation, morale boosters, and a show of appreciation for players’ efforts. He noted that expressing gratitude before a task is completed is not strange to him, adding that saying “thank you” in advance often inspires people to give even more—an approach he believed would positively impact the players.
The unprecedented decision followed a routine pre-match talk at the team’s camping hotel. After addressing the players and informing them of the intention to pay their outstanding draw-match bonus from the fixture against Bendel Insurance, one of the players, Orji Kalu, suggested that both the draw bonus and the anticipated win bonus be paid together.
The proposal was unanimously supported by his teammates, who confidently assured the management of victory. Acting swiftly, the General Manager approved the request and ordered the immediate release of the payments.
Confirming the development, team captain Usman Aminu Maidubji revealed that each player received ₦300,000 at exactly 1:30 p.m. He described the alert as a powerful source of motivation, explaining that there was a clear agreement: if the team lost the match, the players would refund the money.
“With that understanding, nobody was willing to lose,” the captain said.
He also expressed deep appreciation to the Grand Patron of Barau FC, Senator Dr. Barau I. Jibrin; the club’s President, Shawall Barau Jibrin; and the General Manager, Dominic Iorfa, for their unwavering support, guidance, and commitment to the team’s success.
Senator Barau, according to the captain, is setting new standards in the Nigeria Professional Football League, as paying match bonuses before kick-off is a practice yet to be adopted even by top European clubs.
