Deeney noted that this isn’t the first time off-field issues have arisen during crucial moments in Nigerian football.
By Kehinde Okeowo
British pundit and former Watford striker, Troy Deeney, has called the match bonuses saga between the Super Eagles players and the Nigerian football handlers, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), “a real shame.”
He made this known recently while speaking on CBS Sports Golazo.
Deeney was reacting to the Super Eagles’ refusal to train, which was intended to pressure the NFF into paying their outstanding match bonuses.
The Tuesday action briefly threw into doubt Nigeria’s participation in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff in Morocco.
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However, a statement from the team on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that all issues had been resolved and that the players were in good spirits for Thursday’s encounter.
Despite the reassurance, Deeney lamented the timing of such distractions, noting that it is not the first time such an incident has occurred.
“It’s a real shame because it’s a huge moment in the World Cup qualifiers and we are now talking about off-the-pitch stuff again,” Deeney said. “It’s not the first time, not the second time.”
The Super Eagles are expected to face the Gabonese Panthers in the semi-final of the CAF playoff at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat on Thursday. The winner will then play either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final, scheduled for Sunday, November 16.
