The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday boycotted their scheduled training session in Rabat, Morocco, in protest over unpaid bonuses and allowances, just days before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off against Gabon.
A senior team official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the players and some members of the coaching crew refused to train due to outstanding payments allegedly owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
“The players are unhappy. They have not received their allowances for previous matches, and this has dragged on for too long,” the official said.
The team’s training camp officially opened in Rabat on Monday, with 23 players already in camp as of Tuesday afternoon.
Only goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was still being expected at the time of the protest.
Those in camp include Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and others.
According to reports, the players are demanding payment for match bonuses, appearance fees, and travel allowances from previous fixtures, including the recent World Cup qualifying win over Benin.
As of press time, the NFF had not released an official statement regarding the boycott.
The protest comes at a critical time for the Super Eagles, who are scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday in one of the deciding matches for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Team insiders said that officials of the Sports Ministry and the NFF are now working urgently to resolve the impasse before Wednesday’s training session.
The development adds to a growing list of administrative and financial controversies that have plagued Nigerian football in recent years, with players repeatedly protesting unpaid entitlements ahead of major international fixtures.
