The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon on Thursday at Rabat’s 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Super Eagles players and their technical staff have reportedly boycotted training in Rabat, barely two days before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon, over unresolved bonus payments.
According to BBC Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, the entire squad, including the backroom staff, refused to train on Tuesday due to long-standing financial grievances with football authorities.
Speaking on his X page, Okeleji added that the players and staff were “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.” He went on to note that none of the Super Eagles players had received their allocated bonuses, describing the situation as being “tired of empty promises.”
In a brief statement reported to have been jointly shared by players and officials, the team confirmed the development: “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 preparation for Thursday’s game with Gabon. Thank you. From the players.”
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, though discussions are believed to be ongoing to resolve the impasse swiftly.
Before the disruption, Nigeria’s camp had shown signs of growing confidence following the arrival of Victor Osimhen on Tuesday. The 2023 African Player of the Year joined 22 other players in Rabat, bringing a fresh wave of optimism to head coach Eric Chelle’s squad. Training sessions had been brisk and tactical, focusing on shape, pressing transitions, and set-piece coordination.
However, the payment dispute has now cast a shadow over the team’s build-up. Players are reportedly unhappy about delayed bonuses and appearance fees from previous international engagements.
Nigeria is scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday at the 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The winner of the encounter is expected to square up against the winner of the other semi-final between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The victorious team in the final will then advance to the inter-confederation play-offs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
