Super Eagles Boycott Training Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Against Gabon

Nigeria made headlines for all the wrong reasons. On Tuesday, ahead of their critical 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco, the squad refused to train in protest over unpaid bonuses. With the stakes high, a win would bring the Super Eagles one step closer to World Cup qualification, but the interruption poses a serious disruption to their preparations and casts doubts over their readiness.

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The Bono Menace

The players’ decision came after repeated calls for payment of outstanding bonuses linked to previous campaigns, including AFCON and the early World Cup qualifiers. A statement from the team indicated that until a resolution was found, they would not resume training. The dispute underscores long-running administrative issues within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and raises questions about the squad’s morale heading into a high-pressure fixture.

Implications & Context

Refusing to train days before a must-win tie is risky. The Super Eagles finished second in their group, behind Bafana Bafana, and now face the playoff route to qualify. Distractions like these can hurt focus, match preparation and mental cohesion. Moreover, Uganda’s similar sideline protest earlier this year triggered sanctions; Nigeria now risk a self-inflicted wound when they should be uniting for the cause.