The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked the federal government for N1 billion to support the Super Eagles’ journey through the 2026 World Cup playoff matches in Morocco. This request was made in a formal letter sent to the National Sports Commission (NSC) last week.
Interestingly, the NSC had already covered the costs for Nigeria’s recent qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic. Still, the players say they haven’t received bonuses and appearance fees owed from past matches, including the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
These unpaid dues led to a protest in Rabat, where the team refused to train ahead of their important match against Gabon. Reports say the players gave the federation a clear warning: pay what’s owed or they’ll head back to their clubs before Thursday’s game.
Captain William Troost-Ekong responded to rumors that the team was asking for extra money for the playoffs. He made it clear that the players are only asking for what they’ve already earned, not any special bonuses.
With tensions rising and a major match just days away, the situation highlights ongoing issues between the team and football authorities—issues that could affect Nigeria’s chances on the global stage.
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