Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suspended training in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their World Cup play-off against Gabon.
The players protested unpaid bonuses and allowances reportedly owed since 2019.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suspended their training sessions in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their 2026 World Cup Africa play-off semi-final clash against Gabon.
The players and technical staff refused to train on Tuesday, protesting unpaid bonuses and allowances reportedly dating back to 2019. The affected payments include rewards for their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the ongoing World Cup play-offs.
Sources in the team’s camp said the players were frustrated by repeated delays and broken promises and decided to withhold their participation until the matter is resolved.
A statement released by the team confirmed that all players and officials agreed to stop training until their outstanding entitlements are settled.
Efforts to get a response from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as top officials did not immediately react to the development.
The Super Eagles currently have 23 players in camp, including captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Stanley Nwabali. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is the only player yet to arrive.
The team had held its first full session on Monday, with 14 players taking part, as head coach Eric Chelle intensified preparations for the crucial match. They are based at the Rive Hotel in Rabat and are scheduled to face Gabon on Thursday at the Moulay Hassan Stadium.
In the other semi-final fixture, Cameroon will play against the Democratic Republic of Congo at El-Barid Stadium. Winners from both matches will meet on November 16 to determine who qualifies for the inter-confederation play-offs for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
