Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles and its backroom staff refused to step onto the training pitch in Morocco on Monday as frustration over unpaid bonuses reached breaking point.
The collective decision brought all training activities to a standstill, days before Thursday’s 2026 World Cup playoff encounter.
Players and team officials confirmed they will not resume preparations until authorities guarantee a resolution to long-standing payment issues.
Senior figures within the camp described the situation as avoidable but overdue, explaining that the squad wants clarity, commitment, and action rather than repeated assurances.
Team leaders and coaching staff held direct conversations with federation representatives, insisting that the financial dispute requires immediate attention.
Multiple voices inside the camp acknowledged the importance of the upcoming playoff, yet stressed that morale, trust, and contractual obligations matter just as much as tactics and preparation.
The message from the squad carried no ambiguity: the game plan starts after the dues land.
The boycott disrupted a tightly scheduled pre-match programmed in Morocco, where the Super Eagles had assembled to sharpen fitness and fine-tune strategy.
Training delays raised concerns around match readiness, rhythm, and focus, especially with qualification stakes at their highest.
Players, however, reiterated their commitment to national duty, making it clear that the protest reflects principle, not resistance to competition.
The Nigeria Football Federation reacted with acknowledgment but without a confirmed timeline for resolving the matter.
Officials within the camp hope talks accelerate before the standoff affects performance timelines any further.
Fans, pundits and former internationals joined the conversation online, many pointing to recurring challenges around pay disputes in African football.
Supporters urged urgency, unity, and resolution, noting that preparation time ticks down faster than negotiation cycles.
For now, Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions pause not for tactics, but for terms, trust, and the fulfilment of promises.
