Nigeria’s preparations for the all-important 2026 World Cup playoff clash against Gabon have hit a setback after players and officials boycotted training on Tuesday over unpaid bonuses, Bold Sports reports.
In a statement released by the Super Eagles’ players and staff, the entire squad including team officials, confirmed they refused to train in Morocco due to unresolved issues surrounding outstanding payments.
“The full squad including officials boycotted 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 the preparation for Thursday’s game with Gabon,” it added.
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The team had successfully held their first training session in Rabat on Monday, with most of the invited players in attendance. Additional arrivals on Tuesday, including Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, brought the squad size to 24.
The boycott comes at a crucial time, with Nigeria set to face Gabon on Thursday at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat. The match is seen as crucial in the country’s bid to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Gabonese side, led by veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, will pose a tough test for the Super Eagles, who are already under pressure to avoid consecutive World Cup misses.
Should Nigeria advance, they will face the winner between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final playoff scheduled for November 16. The victor from that tie will then progress to the Intercontinental Playoffs in March 2026, where a World Cup ticket will be on the line.
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