Nigeria’s preparation for the crucial 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon has been thrown into uncertainty after the Super Eagles refused to train on Tuesday in Morocco over unpaid bonuses.
The players, alongside members of the technical crew, reportedly boycotted the session in Rabat, demanding payment of long-overdue allowances and match bonuses dating back several competitions.
According to reports by BBC Sport’s Oluwashina Okeleji, the players have grown frustrated with what they described as “empty promises” from football authorities.
He said the squad “decided not to train until the outstanding entitlements are cleared,” adding that the team is “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s match.”
A statement said to have been jointly signed by the players and staff read, “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.”
Efforts to get a reaction from the Nigeria Football Federation were unsuccessful as NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, and team media officer, Promise Efoghe, had not responded to calls or messages at the time of this report.
Sources in the team’s camp confirmed that the players have not received their bonuses for qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and for reaching the play-off stage of the World Cup qualifiers. Some allowances reportedly date as far back as 2019.
“The boys are tired of hearing the same thing every time — that it will be paid soon,” one camp insider said. “They’ve decided to take a stand this time.”
The development comes just two days before the team’s semi-final clash with Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, raising concerns about team morale and focus.
The 23-man squad currently in Morocco includes captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who plays for Udinese in Italy, is the only player yet to arrive at camp.
The team held its first full training session on Monday before the standoff began. Head coach Eric Chelle and his assistants were said to be engaging with officials from the NFF to resolve the impasse.
Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday, while Cameroon and DR Congo battle in the other semi-final for a spot in the inter-confederation play-offs leading to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
