Nigeria’s Super Eagles have plunged their 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff preparations into chaos after players and officials boycotted their scheduled training session in Rabat, Morocco.
The action, which took place just two days before their crucial semi-final clash against Gabon, was in protest over long-standing unpaid allowances and bonuses from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The Stand-Off: Unresolved Financial Grievances
The Super Eagles’ full squad and technical crew refused to leave their hotel rooms for the Tuesday training session, demanding immediate payment of outstanding entitlements.
The dispute centers on several layers of debt, including unpaid match bonuses and allowances for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign, as well as payments related to the ongoing 2026 World Cup Playoff preparations. Reports also indicate that some senior players are still owed financial payments dating as far back as 2019.
In a joint statement, the team confirmed the boycott, stating that they withheld training “because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments” and are “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.”
Impact on the World Cup Playoff
The Super Eagles are currently based in Rabat, Morocco, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament, where they are set to face Gabon on Thursday in a decisive semi-final match.
The timing of the protest has caused serious concern among Nigerian football fans, as it threatens the team’s mental and tactical readiness ahead of one of their most important fixtures.
Despite the recent arrival of star striker Victor Osimhen, whose presence had initially boosted morale, the ongoing financial dispute has cast a shadow over the camp.
The recurring issue of player welfare and NFF’s financial mismanagement has drawn heavy backlash from Nigerians on social media, many of whom describe the situation as a national embarrassment and a recurring failure of football administration in the country.
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