Super Eagles Hold NFF to Ransom Over Unpaid Bonuses
The Nigerian national football team has thrown their World Cup qualification campaign into chaos after players and staff boycotted Tuesday's training session in protest of unpaid bonuses. The dramatic move comes with less than 48 hours remaining before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Gabon.
Financial Standoff Threatens World Cup Dreams
According to reports circulating on social media platform X, the Super Eagles are demanding special bonuses totaling $30,000 for the two upcoming World Cup playoff matches - $15,000 per game. The Nigeria Football Federation has reportedly offered $10,000 per match, creating a financial impasse that has brought preparations to a halt.
The players have taken a firm stance, insisting on a formal agreement before returning to training and threatening to boycott the must-win tie against Gabon if their demands remain unmet. This development puts Nigeria's chances of qualifying for a second consecutive World Cup in serious jeopardy.
Coach Also Affected by Payment Issues
The financial problems extend beyond the players, with Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle owed two months' salaries by the NFF. Sources indicate that Chelle would have faced dismissal if he had failed to secure the playoffs, highlighting the precarious nature of his position despite the team's recent success.
The three-time AFCON winners secured their play-off spot with a convincing 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Following this crucial win, the team had quietly demanded payment of their accrued bonuses before the play-offs commenced.
Fans React to Player Protest
Nigerian football enthusiasts have expressed mixed reactions to the players' decision to boycott training at such a critical moment. Sports analyst @FisayoDairo described the move as "badly calculated", suggesting the players should have waited until after the match to press their demands.
Another fan, @HakeemMusa99769, pointed out that qualifying for the World Cup benefits the players more than anyone else, referencing how past successes elevated the profiles of legends like Jay-Jay Okocha. Meanwhile, @Atobajaye25 criticized the NFF for owing players while government officials receive their allowances promptly.
The National Sports Commission, led by Shehu Dikko, has intervened in the matter, claiming that all outstanding debts to the team have been settled. However, players remain unconvinced, demanding concrete financial guarantees.
As tension mounts, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has entered emergency talks with the players in a last-ditch effort to resolve the standoff before Thursday's crucial encounter. The entire nation watches anxiously as the drama unfolds, with Nigeria's World Cup hopes hanging in the balance.
