Nigeria’s preparations for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon suffered a major setback on Tuesday as the Super Eagles players and technical staff boycotted training in Rabat over unresolved issues surrounding unpaid allowances.
The squad, along with officials, withheld their participation in protest, citing outstanding allowances dating back to 2019 for achievements including reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup play-offs, according to BBC Sports journalist, Oluwashina Okeleji.
Okeleji reported on X that the players and staff were “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.”
He wrote, “Nigeria’s players and officials have reportedly boycotted training in Morocco over unresolved bonus and payment issues.
“The full squad, including team staff, skipped today’s session as they await a quick resolution ahead of Thursday’s crucial game.
“Players owed bonus since 2019. None of the Super Eagles players has received their allocated allowances or bonus for reaching the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup playoff.
“Nigeria players & staff boycott Tuesday training ahead of Thursday’s game vs Gabon. Tired of empty promises.”
In a brief statement reported to have been jointly shared by players and officials, the team confirmed the development, saying, “The full squad including officials withheld from training today in Morocco because of the unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game with Gabon.”
The boycott comes 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 path to the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter.
The Super Eagles currently 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. The development adds to an already tense preparation period for the team.
The Super Eagles are expected to resume training on Wednesday, pending a resolution of the financial standoff, as they aim to maintain focus for what is seen as one of Nigeria’s most important fixtures in recent years.
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