Softfootball reports that after a brief standoff between the players and the management that sent shockwaves through Nigerian football, the Super Eagles have finally settled their bonus dispute and are set to return to training ahead of Thursday’s all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon.
The team had earlier boycotted Wednesday morning’s training session over unpaid allowances, a familiar issue that’s haunted the national team for years. But after several hours of closed-door talks involving senior players, coaching staff, and officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), calm seems to have returned to the camp.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, alongside midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, reportedly played a huge role in mediating the crisis. The trio appealed for unity, reminding the squad that their focus should remain on qualifying for the World Cup, something that still stirs deep emotions among fans back home, also Ekong posted on his his offical X account revealing that all has been resolved for now.
He posted:
Issue RESOLVED. Outstanding financials cleared and on ground.
Team is UNITED and focussed as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead!
Interestingly, just before the twist, the team’s official X handle had posted that training was about to commence. But minutes later, the situation took a turn as players refused to take to the pitch, leaving supporters stunned. Since then, they didn’t make any other post until 22 hours later, after the issue had been resolved, they posted in anticipation of the clash ahead via their official X account.
The posted:
Now, all seems well again. Training is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time in Rabat, Morocco, with renewed energy and optimism within the camp.
Nigeria, who lost only one of their ten qualifiers, remain quietly confident. A win against Gabon would see them face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final on November 16, with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs come March 2026.
Coach Éric Chelle can finally breathe a little easier as he regains full access to his squad, including the expected late arrival of Victor Osimhen, as the Super Eagles push to end their long and frustrating wait for another World Cup ticket.
