Money Before Match: Super Eagles Halt Training over NFF’s Unpaid Dues
The captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Mr. William Troost-Ekong, has confirmed that the national team boycotted training on Tuesday to protest unpaid allowances and bonuses.
The players refused to train ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier play-off, citing delays in the payment of entitlements by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Troost-Ekong explained that the team had made no fresh demands beyond asking for the settlement of their outstanding dues.
“Once resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement or claim — especially demands other than the rightful request below — is false,” he wrote. “All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead,” he said.
The Super Eagles’ training camp officially opened in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, ahead of Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF qualifier against Gabon.
According to the team’s official X handle, 23 players were in camp as of Tuesday afternoon, with only goalkeeper Maduka Okoye yet to arrive.
Those present include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, and Chidozie Awaziem. Others are Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Victor Osimhen.
