The Super Eagles’ preparation for the 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon has been thrown into disarray after players and officials boycotted training in protest over unpaid allowances dating as far back as 2019.
The team, currently camping at The Rive Hotel in Rabat, Morocco, was scheduled to train yesterday evening ahead of Thursday’s crucial match.
However, the players and coaching staff refused to show up at the training ground, insisting that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must first settle their outstanding payments.
According to sources in the camp, the players had their first training session on Monday evening after arriving in batches on Sunday and Monday, but tensions rose the following day when discussions over the unpaid bonuses broke down.
In an unsigned statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE yesterday, the players confirmed the boycott.
“The full squad, including officials, boycotted training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments,” the statement read.
“The Super Eagles await a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game against Gabon. Thank you.”
The players noted that they were still being owed bonuses from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in addition to unpaid allowances for qualifying for the 2025 AFCON and the ongoing 2026 World Cup playoff series.
The players reportedly accused the NFF of disrespect and neglect, alleging that the current board has distanced itself from financial obligations inherited from previous administrations.
According to them, the new leadership of the federation told them it was not responsible for the 2019 payments because it “was not in charge of the NFF at the time.”
A source close to the team told DAILY GAZETTE that the squad was increasingly frustrated by the NFF’s handling of the World Cup qualification campaign.
“The players are angry. They feel disrespected. They agreed to play because they all want to qualify for the World Cup, but they know if they don’t get paid now and Nigeria fails to qualify, their money will be gone,” the source said.
Efforts by DAILY GAZETTE to reach NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi were unsuccessful, as they were said to be en route to Morocco.
Calls to the federation’s Media Director, Ademola Olajire, also went unanswered as of press time.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has stepped in to mediate between the players and the federation in an effort to salvage the team’s preparation for the World Cup playoff.
The Super Eagles are expected to face Gabon tomorrow (Thursday), though uncertainty now surrounds their readiness as the standoff over unpaid allowances continues.
