The Super Eagles of Nigeria have reportedly boycotted crucial training sessions in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff against Gabon. This severe disruption stems from long-standing grievances over unpaid bonuses and allowances, with some payments allegedly dating back years, including those for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and reaching the World Cup play-off stage. The standoff, coming just days before a decisive match, has ignited widespread concern among fans regarding the team's preparation and morale.

Reports from within the team camp indicate that the entire 24-man squad and backroom staff refused to train, underscoring the depth of frustration among players. Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong addressed the situation on X, urging the dismissal of false claims and confirming that players simply seek a resolution to their rightful requests, emphasizing their desire to focus on the upcoming games. Prominent Premier League stars such as Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen were among those participating in the protest, with journalist Olúwashínà Okeleji confirming the full squad's involvement due to unresolved financial issues.

Further insights from sports journalist PoojaMedia revealed that the NFF owes backlogs of unpaid allowances for years, affecting both current and former players and officials. It was noted that players are not making special demands; rather, they are fighting for accountability and respect for future generations of Nigerian footballers, as the NFF's own proposed settlement figure has allegedly not been honored. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly engaged in emergency discussions to resolve the crisis and facilitate the team's return to training, though no official statement had been released as of Tuesday evening.

This current dispute is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring pattern in Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have a history of clashing with the NFF over unpaid entitlements, often leading to training boycotts and disruptions before major tournaments. Notable instances include a 2019 AFCON press conference boycott over a promised $10,000-per-player match bonus, a strike before their 2014 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against France demanding $30,000 bonuses and a share of FIFA's appearance fee (requiring personal intervention from then-President Goodluck Jonathan), and a travel delay to the 2013 Confederations Cup over disputed bonuses.

Internal discontent over unpaid allowances and ticket refunds also surfaced during the 2004 AFCON, highlighting a deep-rooted financial disorganization within the NFF (then NFA). This chronic administrative inefficiency and cycle of unfulfilled promises have created a damaging tradition, constantly overshadowing the team's on-field brilliance and eroding trust between players and the federation. Critics argue that while players are sometimes accused of prioritizing money, their actions reflect years of frustration with an unreliable payment structure.

The current crisis has drawn sharp criticism from public figures, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who condemned the Nigerian government's misplaced priorities and poor handling of national sports heroes. Obi described the situation as