Super Eagles Training Boycott Over Financial Dispute
The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has taken a dramatic stand by boycotting their training session in Rabat, Morocco, just two days before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff match against Gabon.
According to reports from veteran BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, the entire squad and backroom staff refused to train on Tuesday due to long-standing financial grievances with football authorities.
Players and Officials United in Protest
In an unprecedented move, both players and team officials presented a united front by jointly releasing a statement confirming their position. The statement clearly outlined their reasons for the boycott, emphasizing the unresolved issues with outstanding payments that have plagued the team.
"The full squad including officials withheld from training today in Morocco because of the unresolved issues with outstanding payments," the statement read. "The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday's game with Gabon."
The training boycott occurred at a critical moment in the team's preparation schedule. The players were scheduled to train on Tuesday for Thursday's vital World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament semi-final match.
Critical World Cup Qualification at Stake
The timing of this protest could not be more significant. Nigeria faces Gabon in the first semi-final of the World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Thursday.
A victory in this match would secure Nigeria a spot in the final playoff round, where they would face either Cameroon or DR Congo for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This is not the first time Nigerian football has faced controversies over player payments. The current situation highlights ongoing financial management issues within the country's football administration that continue to affect team morale and performance at critical moments.
The football community now awaits an urgent resolution to this dispute, hoping the Super Eagles can refocus on their World Cup qualification campaign without further distractions.
