Crisis has erupted in the Super Eagles camp just days before Nigeria’s crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon, as reports from Rabat confirm that the players have embarked on a training boycott over unpaid bonuses and unmet promises.
What began as whispers earlier today has now escalated into a full-blown standoff that could threaten the nation’s World Cup ambitions.
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According to reliable sources within the team’s hotel, captain William Troost-Ekong is said to be spearheading the move, backed by senior players who insist they have been patient long enough.
The squad reportedly held two separate meetings before agreeing collectively to halt training until their demands are addressed.
“This is not about a few players,” one insider revealed. “The entire group feels let down after repeated promises that never materialised.”
The players’ three-point demand, delivered to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), includes an increase in match bonuses from $5,000 to $15,000, a review of daily allowances, and immediate payment of outstanding pledges from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up. The squad insists that without firm action, they will not return to training ahead of Thursday’s playoff in Rabat.
The NFF, caught off guard by the timing of the protest, has moved quickly to open negotiations. President Ibrahim Gusau has reportedly offered to raise bonuses to $10,000 for the two-legged tie and promised further talks before next year’s AFCON in Morocco. Sources say the federation is appealing for calm, citing financial constraints and urging the players to “consider the bigger picture.”
Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has distanced itself from the row, stating that all necessary funds had already been disbursed to the NFF. A senior NSC official confirmed that the commission is monitoring developments from Saudi Arabia, where top executives are attending the Islamic Games, but declined to comment further.
As tensions mount, 23 of the 24 invited players skipped Tuesday’s evening training, choosing instead to remain in their rooms. In stark contrast, Gabon’s delegation, led by captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, trained at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, looking calm and focused ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
With just hours to kick-off, uncertainty now hangs over Nigeria’s preparation — and the nation watches anxiously as the drama unfolds in Rabat.
Adewale Ajayi reports live from Morocco and will provide further updates as the situation develops.
