Nigerian players before a match
Players and officials of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have expressed displeasure over their unpaid bonuses, boycotting training on Monday ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon.
The West African football heavyweights missed out on automatic World Cup qualification and are set to participate in a playoff to determine their fate for the tournament, to be staged in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The playoff structure sees Nigeria face Gabon on November 13 at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, while Cameroon takes on DR Congo. The winners will compete on November 16 for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.
But the Super Eagles’ preparations for the crucial playoff against Gabon have suffered a major setback, with players and officials boycotting training over unpaid bonuses.
As a sign of protest and dissatisfaction over unresolved bonus issues, the players and officials refused to train as they await a swift resolution to the financial dispute before the clash on Thursday.
Sources close to the team suggest the players and officials will not return to training until they receive assurances regarding the pending bonuses.
The Nigerian football authorities are currently racing against time to raise money to resolve unpaid entitlements, two days before the key World Cup playoff.
The situation puts the team in a delicate position, as any delay in training could affect match readiness ahead of the high-stakes World Cup playoff.
The Nigeria Football Federation has acknowledged the dispute but has not provided an immediate timeline for resolving the matter.
Both players and officials have expressed optimism that discussions will conclude swiftly, allowing the squad to resume training and focus fully on securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
