Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their technical staff boycotted training in Rabat on Tuesday over unresolved bonus payments, raising concerns ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon.
The squad, along with officials, withheld their participation in protest, citing outstanding allowances dating back to 2019 for achievements including reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup play-offs, according to BBC Sports journalist, Oluwashina Okeleji.
Okeleji reported on X that the players and staff were “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.”
He added that none of the Super Eagles players had received their allocated bonuses, describing the situation as “tired of empty promises.”
Attached to the post was a statement reportedly signed by the squad and technical crew, which read in full, “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.”
The boycott was further confirmed by sports photojournalist Sulaimon Adebayo, who is covering the team’s camp in Morocco.
PUNCH Online reached out to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Director, Ademola Olajire, and Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, for comment.
Efoghe acknowledged receipt of the message but had not responded at the time of filing this report.
The squad currently in Morocco consists of 23 players, including 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, who recently regained form in Serie A with Udinese, is the only player yet to join the camp.
The Super Eagles held their first full training session on Monday in Rabat with 14 players present, as head coach Eric Chelle intensified preparations.
Sevilla duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke did not participate, while the arrival of African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, in the afternoon added more attacking options to the squad.
The camp officially opened on Sunday at the Rive Hotel in Rabat, with technical staff already present to receive early arrivals.
Nigeria is scheduled 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.
