Nigeria players boycott training over wage dispute ahead of crunch World Cup qualifier | OneFootball

Some players are reportedly owed bonuses dating back as far as 2019

Nigeria players and staff have boycotted training over a pay dispute ahead of a crunch World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon.

The Super Eagles are currently in camp in Rabat, Morocco, but the team have reportedly gone on strike over unpaid allowance and wages, with some players still owed bonus payments dating back to 2019.

According to reports in the Nigerian press, bonuses due after the side qualified for AFCON are also yet to be paid.

Players have met with representatives from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), but no resolution has yet been reached.

A full team statement added: “The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments.

“The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue their preparations for Thursday’s game against Gabon. Thank you. From the players.”

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong added: “Once resolution is found we will be the first to confirm. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”

The boycott leaves Nigeria’s already precarious hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup hanging by a thread. Defeat to Gabon would eliminate them from the running entirely.

This is not the first scandal to hit this Nigeria camp. Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi made headlines earlier this week after sharing a video on Snapchat in which he appeared to criticise the quality of the team hotel.

Despite the controversy surrounding the team, he is confident the Super Eagles can secure a place at the World Cup.

He told BBC Africa: “Giving ourselves another chance to go into the World Cup, the confidence is high.

“I’ve been in one [Russia 2018], I would like to be in one again. Hopefully we get the chance to do that. It’s not going to be easy.”

The NFF have been contacted for comment.