Super Eagles players, officials boycott training over unpaid allowances

The Super Eagles players have boycotted their training in protest of unpaid allowances by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). 

A source close to the team confirmed to TheCable that players and officials refused to carry out their scheduled evening training session on Tuesday.

TheCable understands that players are yet to receive their allowances for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 World Cup playoff.

Some older members of the team are reportedly owed bonuses dating back to 2019.

Nigeria play Gabon in one of the semi-finals for the 2026 African World Cup playoffs on Thursday.

The winner of the match will face either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final to clinch the sole slot to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff.

All the 24 players invited by Eric Chelle, the team’s manager, are currently in Rabat. The players are not expected back in training except the outstanding issue is addressed.

The NFF is not new to delaying payment of allowances and bonuses for the national teams.

In 2024, President Bola Tinubu had to allocate N12 billion to “clear the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and U-20 national team”.