The Nigerian Football Federation has moved to defend its selection of accommodation for the Super Eagles in Morocco, after images shared by midfielder Alex Iwobi triggered widespread concern about the team’s lodging conditions ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
The controversy erupted when Iwobi posted photographs on social media showing what appeared to be dilapidated surroundings of the team’s hotel in Rabat, prompting questions about whether Nigeria’s football authorities had adequately prioritised player welfare during this critical campaign period.
Football journalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, citing the Super Eagles’ media officer, clarified that “the Super Eagles are camped at Rive Hotel. What trended earlier was the view of an old building that can be seen from a window.”
The NFF explained that the Rive Hotel was selected primarily for logistical reasons rather than luxury considerations. “Rive was chosen because of its proximity to the team’s training facility and the stadium here in Rabat,” the federation stated.
The timing of the accommodation row could hardly be more sensitive for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles are preparing for a playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, with the stakes extending far beyond a single match. Nigeria secured their playoff berth after finishing second behind South Africa in Group C of the African qualifying campaign.
The winner of Thursday’s encounter will advance to face either DR Congo or Cameroon in the playoff final. That ultimate victor will then earn a place in the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026, where one final opportunity awaits to secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The accommodation controversy has reignited familiar debates about the treatment of Nigeria’s national team during overseas assignments. Previous tournaments have seen complaints about delayed allowances, substandard facilities, and administrative oversights that players and officials argue undermine preparation and morale.
Despite the NFF’s explanation that proximity to training facilities drove the hotel choice, critics have questioned whether such practical considerations should override basic standards of comfort for elite athletes preparing for matches of this magnitude.
The Super Eagles’ camp in Rabat has gradually filled in recent days, with early arrivals beginning training sessions as coach José Peseiro finalises his tactical preparations for the Gabon challenge.
For Nigerian football supporters, the accommodation dispute represents an unwelcome distraction from what should be a period of focused preparation. The country has not qualified for a World Cup since Russia 2018, and the prospect of missing a second consecutive tournament would represent a significant blow to a nation that views football success as a source of national pride.
The playoff format adds pressure to every aspect of the campaign, with no margin for error across two high-stakes matches. In this context, the NFF will hope its explanation satisfies critics and allows attention to return to matters on the pitch rather than conditions off it.
