Fakayejo Paul
RABAT, MOROCCO – Nigeria’s preparations for their vital 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off tournament have been thrown into chaos after the Super Eagles players and officials boycotted training today in Rabat, Morocco.
The industrial action, confirmed by team sources, stems from long-standing and unresolved issues regarding outstanding payments, bonuses, and allowances.
Crisis Just 48 Hours Before Gabon Clash
The team’s decision to strike comes at the worst possible time, just two days before their must-win semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13th. The boycott reportedly involves the entire squad and the backroom staff.
- Cause of Dispute: The main grievance is the failure of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to settle a backlog of financial entitlements. According to reports, players are owed bonuses and allowances dating back as far as two years.
- Team Statement: Reports indicate that a joint statement from the players and officials confirmed the action, saying they “withheld from training today in Morocco because of the unresolved issues with outstanding payments.”
Disappointment Amidst High Stakes
The financial dispute casts a dark shadow over Nigeria’s campaign to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles, who are already under immense pressure after losing their automatic group qualification slot, were relying on a unified camp to navigate the high-stakes, single-match knockout tournament in Morocco.
The players and officials are demanding a swift resolution from the NFF to ensure they can resume training immediately to prepare for the critical game against Gabon.
Failure to resolve the matter quickly could severely impact the team’s focus and performance in the tournament, which offers a lifeline to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Players in Camp (Prior to Boycott)
The dispute involves the 24-man squad called up by coach Eric Chelle, which includes:
- Goalkeepers: Nwabali Stanley, Obasogie Amas, Okoye Maduka
- Defenders: Ekong William (C), Bassey Calvin, Bright-Osayi Samuel, Onyemaechi Bruno, Ajayi Oluwasemilogo, Chidozie Awaziem, Sanusi Zaidu, Fredricks Benjamin
- Midfielders: Iwobi Alexander, Onyeka Frank, Ndidi Wilfred, Onyedika Raphael, Yusuf Alhassan
- Forwards: Lookman Ademola, Moses Simon, Osimhen Victor, Arokodare Tolu, Ejuke Chidera, Akor Adams, Olakunle Olusegun, Chukwueze Samuel
The football world now watches to see how the NFF will respond to this crisis to prevent the financial dispute from sabotaging Nigeria’s World Cup dreams.