Boycott in the preliminaries of the World Cup! The players refuse to enter the field » What is the reason
Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, 20:05 / Updated on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 20:06
Scandal at the Nigerian national team! Just a day before the crucial 2026 World Cup African play-off semi-final match against Gabon, the entire squad, along with staff, refused to attend the scheduled training session in Morocco.
The decision was made due to unresolved issues regarding bonuses and unpaid premiums, according to sport.aktuality.sk.
Players and staff members have unpaid bonuses dating back to 2019, according to ESPN. The arrears include the sums promised for participation in last year's Africa Cup of Nations, for the qualifications for the next edition of the competition, but also for the current qualification campaign for the World Championship.
Big problems at the Nigerian national team, a day before the game with Gabon
Captain William Troost-Ekong posted a message on social media: “As soon as a solution is found, we will be the first to communicate. All we want is to focus on the important matches ahead.“
The president of the Nigerian Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, is in Morocco where the four-team African tie is taking place. He is negotiating with the players, but by Wednesday evening no agreement had been reached.
A source within the Nigeria Football Federation told the quoted source that the situation had escalated: “We have taken the issue to the highest level of government and we hope to find a long-term solution as soon as possible.”
The timing could not have been more inappropriate given the importance of the match. Tuesday was supposed to be the first day coach Eric Sekou Chelle was going to work with the full squad.
The boycott means that, in the best case scenario, the coach will only have one full training session before the game on Thursday, November 13. At worst, none.
In 1996, Nigeria won Olympic gold, although they were facing bonus issues. A similar situation was overcome at the World Cup in 2014. Qn the current preliminaries, the Super Eagles have managed to achieve good results on the field despite disputes over premiums and training boycotts.
Coach Eric Sekou Chelle is banking on the excellent form of Victor Osimhen, the leader of Nigeria's attack. With 29 goals scored in 44 matches for the national team, the striker is approaching legend status for his national team.
The match is scheduled for Thursday, from 18:00, on a neutral ground, in Morocco.
The other semi-final will be played between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It remains to be seen if the duel between Nigeria and Gabon will take place, under the conditions of the boycott, or if Gabon will win on the green table.
