The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is facing a major crisis that threatens to derail the country's Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The Super Eagles, in a stunning move, have refused to train and are threatening to boycott their crucial quarterfinal match.
Players Take a Stand Over Financial Promises
According to reports from the team's camp in Morocco, the entire squad and coaching staff have taken a united stand. They are refusing to travel to Marrakech for their scheduled preparations and will not participate in any training sessions. This drastic action is a direct protest against the non-payment of win bonuses for four consecutive matches at the tournament.
Respected BBC Africa journalist Oluwashina Okeleji broke the news on social media platform X. He confirmed that bonuses owed for victories against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique remain outstanding. The players, despite their flawless performance on the pitch, have drawn a line in the sand regarding their financial entitlements.
AFCON Dominance Overshadowed by Off-Field Drama
This protest comes at the worst possible time for Nigerian football fans. The Super Eagles have been in imperious form at AFCON 2025. Under coach Eric Chelle, the team topped Group C with a perfect record, winning all three matches. They followed this with a commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16.
Key players like Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have been in brilliant form, each scoring three goals. However, this on-field success is now being completely overshadowed by the bitter dispute with the football federation. The timing is critical, with the high-stakes quarterfinal clash against Algeria scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026.
A Recurring Problem for Nigerian Football
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident in the relationship between the Super Eagles and the NFF. The team has a history of similar disputes. Notably, just a month prior in December 2025, players protested and refused to train before World Cup qualification playoffs against Gabon and DR Congo, also held in Morocco.
The current standoff presents a significant distraction as Nigeria seeks its first AFCON title since 2013. Facing a formidable Algerian side, known as the Desert Foxes, requires absolute focus and preparation. Any disruption could prove costly to the team's championship ambitions.
As of now, the Nigeria Football Federation has not made any public statement addressing the bonus crisis or the players' boycott. The football world watches anxiously to see if a resolution can be found before the crucial match this weekend.
