There’s a sigh of relief in the Super Eagles’ camp as Nigeria’s national team resumed training at 5 PM in Rabat after a tense standoff that threatened to derail their preparations for Thursday’s crucial World Cup playoff clash against Gabon.
Earlier in the day, reports emerged that players and coaching staff had boycotted training over unresolved issues surrounding unpaid bonuses and allowances, triggering fears of yet another administrative crisis just days before one of Nigeria’s most important fixtures in years.
However, after several hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations, senior players, technical staff, and NFF officials reached a compromise, allowing the team to return to training this evening.
An insider within the team camp confirmed the development: “They have agreed to train this evening. The players made their point clear, but they also know the importance of the game. The focus now is on winning the ticket to the World Cup”.
The situation had escalated earlier when players reportedly remained in their hotel rooms, refusing to attend the scheduled morning session, a move that sent shockwaves across the Nigerian football community. Many fans took to social media to vent their frustration, accusing both the NFF and the players of lacking professionalism at a critical time.
But calmer heads prevailed, largely thanks to the leadership of captain William Troost-Ekong, alongside Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, who were instrumental in convincing teammates to return to training. The senior players reportedly urged unity and reminded the squad of what’s at stake, Nigeria’s bid to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the immediate crisis has eased, sources indicate that discussions over financial matters are still ongoing, and further negotiations will continue after the Gabon game.
For now, the focus returns to football, with Nigeria needing a strong performance to reach the playoff final, and silence the off-field distractions that have too often defined their World Cup campaigns.
Do you think the Super Eagles made the right call by resuming training, or should they have held out until all payments were cleared? Let’s know what you think.
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