Super Eagles Boycott Training Over Unpaid Bonuses Ahead Of Gabon World Cup Play-Off
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their technical team skipped training in Rabat on Tuesday to protest unpaid bonuses, raising concerns ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon, PUNCH Online reports. The players and staff reportedly withheld participation due to outstanding allowances dating back to 2019, which cover achievements such as reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup play-offs, according to BBC Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji. Okeleji shared on X that the team was “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game,” noting that the squad is frustrated by “empty promises” regarding their bonuses. A statement allegedly signed by the Super Eagles and their technical crew 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.” Sports photojournalist Sulaimon Adebayo, covering the team in Morocco, confirmed the boycott. PUNCH Online reached out to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Director Ademola Olajire and Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe for comment. Efoghe acknowledged the message but had not responded by the time of reporting. The squad in Morocco includes 23 players: captain William Troost-Ekong; forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Chidera Ejuke, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Akor Adams; defenders Calvin Bassey, Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Frederick, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Amas Obasogie, and Stanley Nwabali; and midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, recently back in form with Udinese, is yet to join the camp. The team had held their first full training session on Monday in Rabat with 14 players, as head coach Eric Chelle prepared the squad. Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke were absent, while African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman arrived later in the afternoon. The Super Eagles are set to face Gabon on Thursday at the 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Meanwhile, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will contest the other semi-final at El-Barid Stadium, with the winners meeting in the final on November 16 to determine who advances to the inter-confederation play-offs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America.