Super Eagles Boycott Morocco Training: Troost-Ekong Speaks Out Ahead of Gabon Clash
Tension continues to mount in the Super Eagles camp in Rabat, Morocco, after players and officials reportedly boycotted Tuesday’s training session over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
The protest comes just two days before Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off against Gabon.
Reports suggest that none of the players have received their allocated bonuses for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations or reaching the World Cup play-off stage.
Troost-Ekong Responds to Ongoing Bonus Dispute
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has now addressed the situation and urged the dismissal of several claims circulating about the players’ alleged demands.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the AFCON 2023 MVP wrote:
“Once [a] resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement/claim or especially demands other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”
Ekong’s statement comes amid widespread reports that the entire 24-man squad and backroom staff refused to train on Tuesday in protest of unpaid bonuses, some of which reportedly date back to 2019.
Osimhen, Iwobi, Lookman Join Boycott
Earlier, Soccernet.ng reported that Premier League stars Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen were among those who joined the protest.
According to journalist Olúwashínà Okeleji, the full squad, including technical officials, boycotted training due to unresolved financial issues.
“The full squad including officials boycott training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. Awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game,” Okeleji posted on X.
The latest report from sports journalist PoojaMedia reveals that players haven’t received bonuses or allowances for years.
“The NFF are owing backlogs of unpaid allowances for years, affecting both present and past players and officials.
The players didn’t make any special offer to the NFF — the offer actually came from the federation, even with a figure attached.
The players are fighting not just for themselves but for the new generation of players, as they want the NFF to be responsible going forward.
This fight goes beyond unpaid allowances; it’s about the future of football in Nigeria.” he wrote.
NFF in Urgent Talks to Resolve Crisis
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly in emergency discussions to settle the dispute and get the players back to training ahead of Thursday’s decisive encounter against Gabon.
As of Tuesday evening, there was no official statement from the federation regarding the issue.
Do-or-Die Clash vs. Gabon Looms
Nigeria will face Gabon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 WAT.
The fixture is considered one of the Super Eagles’ most crucial in recent years, as a win would secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.