Olushola Omogbehin
Super Eagles’ preparations for Thursday’s all important 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon suffered a major setback on Tuesday as the players and officials stages a boycotted in Rabat over unresolved issues surrounding unpaid allowances and bonuses.
It was confirmed that the entire team, including backroom staff, refused to take part in training, attributing the reason for their action to the lingering financial grievances with football authorities
The statement from the team reads: “The full squad including officials withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game with Gabon.”
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Coming just two days before the Super Eagles face Gabon in the first semi-final of the World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, the result of the match could determine Nigeria’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Super Eagles had shown signs of growing confidence following the arrival of Victor Osimhen on Tuesday in Rabat to bring a fresh wave of optimism to head coach Eric Chelle’s squad.
The financial dispute has now cast a shadow on the preparations of the team as players are said to be unhappy about the delayed bonuses and appearance fees from previous international engagements.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not issue a formal statement as discussions are reportedly ongoing for amicable solution.
Currently, Super Eagles have 23 players in camp, including Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman, with goalkeeper Maduka Okoye still expected to arrive.
In what seems to be one of Nigeria’s most important fixtures in recent years, the Super Eagles are expected to resume training on Wednesday, pending the resolution of the financial standoff.
