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Tag: Super Eagles

Peter Obi Condemns ‘Street Urchins’ Tag On Supporters, Says No Nigerian Is Without Value

Peter Obi Criticises Government Over Unpaid Super Eagles Allowances, Calls Nigeria “Now Disgraced Country”

Wale busari03 mins

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the Federal Government over reports that the Super Eagles have not received their allowances, describing the situation as a mark of a “now disgraced country.” Obi’s reaction comes after Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi shared a video highlighting the poor condition of the team’s accommodation in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon. In a statement on Tuesday via X, Obi said it was “truly unfortunate” that players who consistently give their best in representing the nation are still owed their entitlements, even as the government continues to spend on “needless lavish spending and political patronage.” He stressed that failing to properly care for national athletes sends the wrong message to Nigerian youth and urged authorities to prioritise the welfare of those who represent the country. Obi wrote: “It is truly unfortunate that our Super Eagles, who consistently give their best in representing our dear nation, are being owed their allowances. We always seem to find money to waste on needless lavish spending and political patronage, yet we cannot pay those who patriotically raise our flag, bring us pride, and serve with dedication. That is what is found in a ‘now disgraced country.’ When those who serve their country are not treated with dignity, it sends the wrong message to our youth, that hard work and service are not rewarded. Those who represent Nigeria deserve to be paid promptly and treated with respect. We must do better.”

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Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Says Team Boycott In Morocco Was Over Unpaid Bonuses, Not Extra Demands

Wale busari02 mins

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has clarified that the team did not boycott training in Morocco over additional bonus demands, stressing that the players were only raising concerns about unpaid allowances and bonuses owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Posting on his official 𝕏 account on Tuesday, Troost-Ekong dismissed claims that the squad was seeking extra payments ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs. He stated, “Once resolution is found we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement/claim or eSPECIALly demands other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.” The clarification followed reports suggesting that the Super Eagles were holding out for additional payments before resuming training. The standoff took place in Rabat, Morocco, where players and officials skipped their Tuesday evening session in protest over outstanding allowances. The team has yet to receive payments for qualifying for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 World Cup playoff. Nigeria is scheduled to face Gabon in the semi-final of the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The winner will advance to the final to face either Congo DR or Cameroon for a chance to secure Africa’s sole intercontinental playoff spot.

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Super Eagles Boycott Training Over Unpaid Bonuses Ahead Of Gabon World Cup Play-Off

Wale busari04 mins

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.

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Alex Iwobi Exposes Poor Hotel Conditions Ahead of Super Eagles’ World Cup Play-Off in Morocco

Wale busari02 mins

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has shared a video highlighting poor conditions at the hotel where the team is staying ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off against Gabon in Morocco. The video shows facilities that appear below standard for an international team, raising concerns about the arrangements made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). While CAF usually manages lodging for participating nations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) can request alternative hotels if necessary. Nigerian players have voiced similar complaints in the past. Earlier this year, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade criticised CAF-provided accommodations during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Gabon on November 13, aiming to secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As of now, neither CAF nor the NFF has responded to Iwobi’s video. Alex Iwobi showing off Super Eagles hotel in Morocco 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/8CUXVU2MDi — POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 10, 2025

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World Cup Qualifier Playoffs: Ekong, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Moses, Fredericks Storm Eagles’ Camp in Morocco

Wale busari01 mins

Captain William Ekong and fellow defender Benjamin Fredericks arrived the Super Eagles’ hotel in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday night, to join the seven-man early crew of defender Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Simon Moses, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, and Samuel Chukwueze. Most of the remaining 15 players are expected today (Monday), as the three-time African champions get in the mood for a potentially-explosive Play-off semi-final clash with the Panthers of Gabon at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan on Thursday evening, starting 5pm Morocco time (same as in Nigeria). Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo clash in the other semi-final, with the two finalists to battle it out at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan on Sunday evening, for Africa’s lone ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico next year.

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World Cup Play-offs: Gusau Confident Super Eagles Will Be Battle-ready

World Cup Play-offs: Gusau Confident Super Eagles Will Be Battle-ready

Wale busari03 mins

Six-time finalists Nigeria will be at their very best to grab Africa’s slot in the Intercontinental Play-offs for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals to be jointly-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, says President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. Gusau exuded confidence on Wednesday that aside the forever-unyielding Nigerian spirit which saw the team clinch a spot in the play-offs in the first place, the National Sports Commission and the NFF are working in tandem to ensure the three-time African champions are poised for victory against Gabon on Thursday, 13th November, and for triumph against the winner between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (the other semi final) on Sunday, 16th November. “Everything is being done, by the NSC and the NFF, to see that nothing is left to chance. No stone will be left unturned. That special spirit that saw the team rise to the occasion and score the four goals they actually needed against Bénin Republic on the final day of the qualifiers, will propel the team to victory in the play-offs. “The camp will open in Rabat, Morocco on Sunday, 9th November. We are speaking to the players already and everyone is on the same page. Every preparation needed to see the team soar to victory will be made, and I believe the players are additionally motivated by that keen desire of every professional footballer to feature at the FIFA World Cup finals.” The Super Eagles square up to the Panthers of Gabon at either the 18,000 – capacity El-Barid Stadium or the 22,000 – capacity Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex (both in Rabat), with the Final of the play-offs scheduled for the Stade Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan. The Confederation of African Football has announced that a draw will be conducted on Thursday, 30th October to determine which of the semi-final matches will be played in either stadium.

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Super Eagles Cancel U.S. Friendlies To Focus On Morocco World Cup Playoffs

Super Eagles Cancel U.S. Friendlies To Focus On Morocco World Cup Playoffs

Wale busari03 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have cancelled their planned friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States to focus on the crucial CAF World Cup playoffs in Morocco. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had originally scheduled the matches for November 14 at Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium and November 18 at Citi Field in New York. But after Nigeria’s recent win over Benin Republic secured a playoff spot, the U.S. tour will no longer take place. “We had a clause in the contract covering this scenario. Now that we’ve qualified for the playoffs, we won’t be going ahead with the friendlies. Our priority is to concentrate fully on qualifying for the World Cup,” an NFF official told ESPN. The playoffs, set for November 13–16 in Morocco, will see Nigeria face Gabon in the semifinals. The winner will meet the victor of Cameroon vs. Congo DR for Africa’s intercontinental playoff spot in Mexico next March. Nigeria, currently ranked 41st in the world, is the highest-ranked side among the four playoff teams, which also include Cameroon, Congo DR, and Gabon. The Morocco fixtures also serve as preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria, runners-up in 2023, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, beginning their campaign on December 23 in Fez. Tickets for the canceled U.S. friendlies had already gone on sale, and the NFF is expected to announce refund details soon. The Super Eagles’ full attention now turns to securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.

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How Super Eagles Reached 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF Play-off Tourney

Fola Badmus06 mins

The Super Eagles achieved a universal spread of 10 different scorers in their 15-goal haul in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, with only ace forward Victor Osimhen scoring more than once. The lanky marksman netted six times – in the process taking his Nigerian tally to 29 in 44 matches, only eight shy of legendary Rashidi Yekini’s record.   Defender Semi Ajayi, who will now miss the penultimate game of the CAF Play-off in Morocco next month after bagging two yellow cards in the series, scored Nigeria’s first goal in the series – the equalizer against Lesotho’s Crocodiles on Matchday 1 inside Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium on 16th November 2023.   Considering that Nigeria edged Burkina Faso only on goals’ tally at the end of the campaign to reach the Play-off, it means that Raphael Onyedika’s goal against Bénin Republic in Abidjan on Matchday 4 (even though Nigeria eventually lost 1-2) was as important as Ajayi’s equalizer against the Crocodiles in Uyo, just as Kelechi Iheanacho’s equalizer against Zimbabwe on Matchday 2 in Butare (Rwanda) on 19th November 2023 was as crucial as Calvin Bassey’s leveller against South Africa on Matchday 8 in Bloemfontein on 9th September 2025.   At the end of the qualifying campaign in Group C, the Super Eagles lost only one of its 10 matches, compared to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana that lost two (despite playing seven of its 10 matches on home soil) and Bénin Republic that lost three.   Chadian referee Alhadi Mahamat Allaou took charge of three of Eagles’ matches, viz the home draw with South Africa, the win over Rwanda in Uyo and the win over Lesotho in Polokwane. Gabonese Pierre Atcho took charge of two (the defeat by Bénin Republic in Abidjan on Matchday 4 and the draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein on Matchday 8.   The three-time African champions played all home games at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, and also played in Rwanda’s Stade Huye, Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium and South African venues Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein) and New Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane).   On their way from their Matchday 9 encounter with Lesotho, the team’s chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air, but the professionalism, expertise and diligence of Captain Kamal Marafa saw the airplane safely guided back to the Luanda Airport where it had taken off after a refueling stop.   Now, on to the CAF Play-off Tournament in Morocco next month!     2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Matches: Nigeria’s Group C Campaign Matchday 1: Nigeria 1 (Semi Ajayi, 67) Lesotho 1 (Tabone Mkwanazi, 56) – 16/11/23. Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Referee – Mehrez Malki (Tunisia) Matchday 2: Zimbabwe 1 (Wisdom Musona, 26) Nigeria 1 (Kelechi Iheanacho, 67) – 19/11/23. Venue: Stade Huye, Butare (Rwanda). Referee – Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti) Matchday 3: Nigeria 1 (Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, 46) South Africa 1 (Mbane Zwane, 29) – 07/06/24. Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Referee – Alhadi Mahamat Allaou (Chad) Matchday 4: Benin Republic 2 (Jordan Dossou, 37; Steve Mounié 45+3) Nigeria 1 (Raphael Onyedika, 27) – 10/06/24. Venue: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan (CIV). Referee – Pierre Atcho (Gabon) Matchday 5: Rwanda 0 Nigeria 2 (Victor Osimhen, 11, 45+3) – 21/03/25. Venue: Amahoro Stadium, Kigali. Referee – Jalal Jayed (Morocco) Matchday 6: Nigeria 1 (Victor Osimhen, 74) Zimbabwe 1 (Robert Chirewa, 90) – 25/03/25. Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Referee – Tsegay Mogos Teklu (Eritrea) Matchday 7: Nigeria 1 (Tolu Arokodare, 51) Rwanda 0 – 06/09/25. Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Referee – Alhadi Mahamat Allaou (Chad) Matchday 8: South Africa 1 (William Troost-Ekong OG, 25) Nigeria 1 (Calvin Bassey, 44) – 09/09/25. Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee – Pierre Atcho (Gabon) Matchday 9: Lesotho 1 (Leslie Kalake, 83) Nigeria 2 (William Troost-Ekong, 55; Jerome Akor Adams, 80) – 10/10/25. Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane (South Africa). Referee – Alhadi Mahamat Allaou (Chad) Matchday 10: Nigeria 4 (Victor Osimhen 3, 36, 51; Frank Onyeka 90+1) Benin Republic 0 – 14/10/25. Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo. Referee – Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)

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