Super Eagles Boycott from Rabat Training Due to Unpaid Bonuses Before the World Cup Playoffs
Nigeria’s Super Eagles stop practicing just two days before their World Cup playoff because they haven’t been paid their wages and bonuses.
Nigeria’s preparations for Thursday’s important 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa playoff match against Gabon have been hampered because the Super Eagles and their managers refused to train in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday because they had not yet been paid their bonuses.
The team, which is currently in camp with 23 players, didn’t show up for the session because they had long-standing financial problems with the football officials. It’s been less than 48 hours since the first semi-final of the playoff event took place at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium. That game could decide Nigeria’s path to the expanded 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
It was written by both players and staff and signed by the whole team:
“The whole team, including officials, didn’t train today in Morocco because there were still problems with payments that needed to be made.” The Super Eagles are looking for a quick solution so they can keep getting ready for their game against Gabon on Thursday.
Reports say the unpaid allowances go back several years and include bonuses from past international games and qualifying runs. Players and staff are said to be angry about the constant delays and what they see as broken promises about their rights.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has not yet made a formal statement, but talks are thought to be going on to find a solution. The players were still waiting for an answer before they could start training again when this report was written.
Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, and Ademola Lookman are some of the important players in the Super Eagles’ camp. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is expected to join soon.
Before the problem, training had been going well. Head coach Eric Chelle had been working on tactical drills and set piece routines since Osimhen got there on Tuesday. Nigeria is getting ready for one of its biggest games in recent years, but the ongoing payment disagreement is a cloud over their plans.
Ghana will play Gabon on Thursday in Rabat. In the other semi-final, Cameroon will play DR Congo in El-Barid. The winners of both games will go to the final on November 16. The winner will also get to play in the interconfederation playoffs for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
