Nigeria’s preparations for Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Gabon have been thrown into disarray after the Super Eagles players and officials reportedly boycotted training in Morocco on Tuesday over unpaid bonuses and allowances dating back to 2023.
Sports journalist Pooja, who is currently with the team in Morocco, confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“BREAKING NEWS: Super Eagles players & officials boycott training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. This is really sad.”
In a follow-up post, he added:
“According to latest reports, Super Eagles haven’t been paid bonuses & allowances in 2 years. I’m going to the Super Eagles hotel in Rabat, Morocco 🇲🇦 now.”
The crisis comes shortly after midfielder Alex Iwobi shared an eight-second video on social media showing what appeared to be the team’s poor lodging conditions in Morocco. The viral clip, filmed through his hotel window, revealed a rundown environment around the team’s accommodation, sparking widespread outrage among fans and renewed criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its management of the national team’s welfare.
The Super Eagles had opened their training camp in Rabat on Sunday, with early arrivals including Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun. But the players’ refusal to train has now plunged Nigeria’s World Cup campaign into uncertainty, raising concerns about morale, organization, and the NFF’s accountability.
As of press time, the NFF had yet to release an official statement addressing the protest or clarifying when the outstanding payments would be resolved.
Nigeria is scheduled to play Gabon on Thursday in Rabat, with the winner progressing to the African playoff final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16. However, with tensions high and preparations disrupted, the Super Eagles’ quest for a World Cup return now appears in serious jeopardy.
