A cloud of tension hangs over Rabat as the Super Eagles’ final preparations for Thursday’s decisive 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon have been disrupted by a player and staff boycott over unpaid bonuses.
The mood inside camp is calm but firm, with players united in their demand for long-delayed payments before resuming full training.
Unpaid bonuses stall Super Eagles training
After holding their first full session on Monday, the Super Eagles were scheduled to train again on Tuesday evening.
However, the session was reportedly called off after both players and officials agreed to suspend activities until financial issues dating back several years are addressed.
Reports from Morocco suggest the atmosphere remains respectful but tense, with the players leading quiet discussions rather than confrontations.
Football411 understands that the unpaid bonuses include allowances from previous qualifiers and the team’s successful 2025 AFCON campaign in Morocco.
A trusted journalist, Shina Okeleji of BBC African Sports, first revealed the boycott on social media, noting that the entire squad and technical crew collectively decided not to take the pitch until the situation is resolved.
World Cup playoff at risk amidst boycott
The timing could hardly be worse for Eric Chelle’s men, who will face Gabon on Thursday at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat—a clash that could determine Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team had looked sharp in Monday’s opening session, with late arrivals Victor Osimhen and Maduka Okoye bringing the camp to a full complement of 24 players.
For a squad carrying the hopes of millions, the decision to pause training shows a deeper frustration — a statement made not through words, but through silence.
This same situation brings back memories of Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup campaign. Back then in Brazil, a player boycott disrupted preparations for the Round of 16 clash with France, ending in a 2-0 defeat.
The recurring cycle of unpaid bonuses and mismanagement by the NFF has repeatedly weakened team spirit and focus.
Now, with history on the verge of repeating itself, the Super Eagles face another crucial qualifier under the looming shadow of ongoing disputes and poor leadership.
Nigeria take on Gabon at 17:00 local time (5 PM Nigerian time) on Thursday’s first semifinal, with Cameroon and DR Congo meeting later in the evening.
The winners will meet on Sunday, November 16, for a place in next year’s intercontinental playoff round — and, ultimately, a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
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