Nigeria’s Super Eagles Boycott Training Over Unpaid Bonuses
Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, and their technical staff have taken a significant step by boycotting training sessions in Rabat on Tuesday. This move comes as a direct protest against unresolved bonus payments, raising concerns ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon.
The squad, along with officials, chose not to participate in training, citing outstanding allowances that date back to 2019. These payments are linked to achievements such as reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the World Cup play-offs. According to BBC Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, the players and staff were “awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.”
Okeleji added that none of the Super Eagles players had received their allocated bonuses, describing the situation as “tired of empty promises.” A statement reportedly signed by the squad and technical crew was shared on X, stating: “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.”
This 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. While Efoghe acknowledged receipt of the message, he had not responded at the time of filing this report.
Squad Details and Training Schedule
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.
Upcoming Match and Play-Off Context
Nigeria is scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday at the 22,000-capacity Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The match is a critical step in their journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. 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.