Football: Nigeria players boycott training two days before World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Super Eagles players and staff demand outstanding payments
With less than 48 hours before their crucial 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon, Nigerian players and staff have downed tools due to unresolved issues relating to outstanding payments and bonuses.
Reports coming out of Rabat, Morocco, where the Super Eagles have assembled for their fixture against the Panthers, reveal that several players are still awaiting payment of bonuses that date as far back as 2019, while others claim they have not been remunerated for their 2025 AFCON qualification.
All players, including the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, refused to participate in team training on Tuesday, November 11, while the team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, took to social media to address the issue. He wrote:
"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. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”
This is not the first time that the Nigerian Football Federation has been called out for delayed payments, and this latest development has already sparked outrage across the nation, given the disruption it has caused ahead of the Super Eagles next match. Check out our Nigeria vs Gabon prediction.
Eric Chelle’s side are expected to resume training today (November 12), but that is likely to hinge on the NFF’s ability to find a swift resolution. At the time of writing, the NFF has not released an official response to the situation.
Alex Iwobi's social media post sparks added controversy
Just hours before the news about the Super Eagles’ boycott broke, Fulham star Alex Iwobi sparked controversy when he posted a video on social media showing what seemed to be poor conditions surrounding the hotel that the team are staying at for this month’s World Cup playoffs.
The video received mixed reactions, with Moroccan fans claiming that the Premier League player was ungrateful to be in a situation that allows him to represent his national team. Iwobi later posted a message in an attempt to clarify the situation, writing:
“You see in life it’s all about perspective. Because I snapped the view I have people thinking, ‘this guys ungrateful’ I never said one thing. I just did one look and never said one thing. In life some people don’t have yards, some people don’t have beds, I’m comfy. I'm playing Mario Kart.”
While Iwobi’s response has largely calmed Moroccan fans’ anger, it has added to the frustrations of Super Eagles fans, many of whom have suggested that it is another indication of how poorly the NFF treat their national heroes.
