The Nigeria Football Federation finds itself in a major crisis just hours before the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifying match against Gabon. Players have taken the drastic step of boycotting training sessions in protest over alleged unpaid bonuses, throwing Nigeria's World Cup aspirations into uncertainty.
Training Boycott Rocks Super Eagles Camp
In a dramatic turn of events, the Super Eagles players refused to participate in training on Tuesday, led by team captain William Troost-Ekong. The protest centers around match bonuses that players claim have been outstanding for an astonishing 30 months, creating massive tension within the camp located in Rabat, Morocco.
The timing couldn't be worse for Nigerian football fans, with the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon scheduled for Thursday. The standoff has left team officials and supporters in panic mode as precious preparation time slips away with less than 24 hours remaining before kickoff.
Captain Troost-Ekong confirmed the situation through social media, tweeting that the team remained off the training pitch until their grievances received proper attention. His post quickly went viral, drawing widespread concern from Nigerian supporters who fear the internal conflict could derail their World Cup dreams.
NFF President's Strong Denial
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has responded forcefully to the allegations, categorically denying that the football federation owes any money to the Super Eagles players. In an interview with Elegbete TV, Gusau insisted that all bonus issues were resolved following last year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
"It's not true. Immediately after the AFCON last year, we sat down with the captain of the team," Gusau stated. "We made a negotiation. I said I don't want us to go back to the qualifiers of the World Cup with any issues of money."
The NFF president emphasized that both parties had reached a clear agreement to ensure the team could focus entirely on World Cup qualification without financial distractions. However, his statements directly contradict the players' actions, leaving the Nigerian public confused about the actual situation within the national team setup.
World Cup Dreams Hang in Balance
The timing of this crisis represents a severe blow to Nigeria's World Cup ambitions. Head coach Eric Chelle has been deprived of crucial final training sessions to implement his tactical plans against Gabon. The disruption comes at the worst possible moment for a match that could determine whether Nigeria advances in the qualification process.
Historical statistics favor the Super Eagles, who have won five of their nine encounters with Gabon, drawing three and losing only once. However, the current internal turmoil threatens to undermine this historical advantage and could prove costly against determined opposition.
Nigeria must overcome Gabon to progress to the next stage, where they would face either Cameroon or DR Congo for a spot in the 2026 World Cup Intercontinental playoffs. The recurring nature of bonus disputes in Nigerian football has raised serious questions about player welfare and administrative efficiency within the NFF.
As the clock ticks toward Thursday's decisive match, Nigerian fans await a resolution that would allow their team to focus on the task at hand: securing victory and keeping World Cup hopes alive amid the most challenging of circumstances.
