…NFF yet to make an official statement on the situation
Football fans have slammed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for owing players and officials unpaid bonuses, which led to the Super Eagles boycotting Tuesday’s training session ahead of their crucial African World Cup Qualifying Play-off in Morocco, Bold Sports reports.
The players and officials refused to train just two days before their semifinal clash against Gabon at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, a development that could jeopardize Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
Veteran BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji broke the news on Tuesday via his X handle, posting: “2026 World Cup playoff: #Nigeria players & officials boycott training in bonus row.
“The full squad, including officials, boycotted training today in Morocco due to unresolved issues over outstanding payments. Awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game.”
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If the impasse continues, the team will have only one training session — on Wednesday — before the all-important semifinal. The situation puts the Super Eagles at a disadvantage, as the camp only became full earlier today following Monday’s light session.
Fans took to social media to vent their frustration at the NFF’s handling of the situation and its repeated disregard for players’ welfare.
Ebitu Promise wrote: “The sad part is that this is not new. The NFF has a long history of disrespecting the Super Eagles. You can’t demand excellence from players you refuse to treat with dignity. Nigeria keeps sabotaging its own talent.”
Inspired Verse added: “We have an important playoff, and we still have unresolved issues like this! When will things get better with our management?”
Ebuka (@mchxrlie) lamented: “Imagine working for your country for two years without pay. That’s what our Super Eagles face, yet they’re in Rabat ready to fight for a World Cup ticket. This is about respect and professionalism. Pay their bonuses and allowances so they can focus on Gabon. Omo, this country just can’t do something right for once.”
Pharouk Camilla wrote: “There’s a high level of incompetence in almost every sector in Nigeria. At this point, our problem is beyond corruption – we need total restructuring for the system to work.”
“This is unbelievable! Dear dear! What???? Noooo waaaaaaay!!!! What is the meaning of this? This is not even possible! What? These guys have been doing this job at their own expense and you then Nigerians will come and insult them! Oh dear Dear Dear dear dear!” POD||ThoughtLeader said.
Timo said, “Nigerian leaders are at it again, they’re all selfish, I won’t blame those players that played for foreign countries.”
According to reports, the NFF owes players and officials several match bonuses and allowances dating back nearly two years, covering the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the start of both the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers.
Training boycotts are, unfortunately, not new in Nigerian football. A similar incident occurred during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, when the NFF had to deliver cash payments to resolve a standoff with players.
The latest crisis comes amid mounting public scrutiny, with the NFF facing criticism over alleged mismanagement of funds received from CAF and FIFA for football development projects.
The NFF is yet to make an official statement on the issue, but according to the latest reports, the National Sports Commission has weighed in on the matter.
“National Sports Commission has weighed into the issues as they’ve cleared all the outstanding of the team before today but the issues at hand is not about the outstanding but a special request by the players ahead of the game,” sports journalist Pooja wrote.
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