Tension hit the Super Eagles’ camp in Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday after players reportedly boycotted their training session ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF Play-off against Gabon, over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
According to reports, the players, alongside some officials, refused to train in protest of outstanding payments. A top team official, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had not issued an official statement addressing the matter.
Reacting to the situation, team captain William Troost-Ekong took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to clarify the team’s stance, emphasizing that their demands were legitimate and collectively communicated.
“Once resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement or claim, eSPECIALly demands other than the rightful request written about below, is false,” Troost-Ekong stated. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”
The Super Eagles’ training camp officially opened on Monday in Rabat, with preparations intensifying for the first-leg clash against Gabon on Thursday, November 13.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 23 players were already in camp, according to the official Super Eagles X handle, with only goalkeeper Maduka Okoye yet to arrive.
Those in camp include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, and Chidozie Awaziem.
Others are Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Victor Osimhen.
The reported protest comes just two days before the decisive encounter, sparking concerns about potential disruptions to Nigeria’s preparations for the high-stakes play-off.
