Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has denied claims that the national team boycotted training in Morocco over additional bonus demands, clarifying that the players were only protesting unpaid allowances and bonuses owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
In a post on his official đť•Ź account on Tuesday, Troost-Ekong dismissed reports suggesting the team was seeking extra payments ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs.
He wrote, “Once resolution is found we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement/claim or eSPECIALly demands other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”
The clarification came after reports suggested the Super Eagles were refusing to train until additional payments were made. The standoff occurred in Rabat, Morocco, when players and officials skipped their Tuesday evening training session to protest outstanding allowances. The team has yet to receive payments for qualifying for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 World Cup playoff.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-final of the African playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The winner will advance to the final against either Congo DR or Cameroon for a chance to claim Africa’s sole spot in the intercontinental playoff.