Eleven Years Later, Same Story: Super Eagles Boycott Over Unpaid Dues

The Super Eagles have boycotted training in Rabat, Morocco, just days before their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon, citing unpaid bonuses dating back to 2019. The incident has sparked painful memories of Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup crisis in Brazil, when a similar protest disrupted the team’s campaign.

Then, the Super Eagles refused to train ahead of their Round of 16 clash with France due to unpaid allowances. Coach Stephen Keshi was ready for training, but the players never showed up. The team’s media officer, the late Ben Alaiya, was caught off guard by the situation. The controversy unsettled the camp, and Nigeria eventually lost 2–0 to France.

Eleven years later, the same scene is playing out again—this time in Rabat. The players, frustrated by years of unpaid bonuses, have chosen to take a stand against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Their protest has thrown the team’s preparation into disarray ahead of Thursday’s match.

Gabon, led by star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are seen as well-organized and hungry to qualify. Meanwhile, Nigerian fans are dismayed, asking why the players chose to act now instead of after the qualifiers.

Unless the NFF addresses the players’ grievances decisively, the pattern of crisis before key matches may continue. For now, expectations are low—the mood in camp is tense, and the omen, once again, is far from positive.