Nigeria’s Super Eagles returned to training on Wednesday evening, refocusing on their 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa playoff semi-final clash with Gabon after boycotting Tuesday’s session over unpaid allowances.
The pay dispute that disrupted the team’s preparations has now been resolved, allowing the players to concentrate fully on Thursday’s crucial encounter as they aim to secure a spot in Sunday’s playoff final. The three-time African champions held their training session at the Institut Royal de Formation des Cadres in Salé, on the outskirts of Rabat.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed optimism about the team’s readiness and unity ahead of the high-stakes fixture. “We believe in the players and their ability to make Nigeria proud, not only on Thursday but throughout these playoffs,” Gusau said. “We have a team capable of earning a World Cup ticket.”
Read Also:
Barau FC Leadership Holds First-Ever Meeting
NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen also urged the team to remain focused, acknowledging that while the players’ grievances were understandable, the timing of their protest was ill-advised. “These boys I know want to play at the World Cup. It’s every professional footballer’s dream,” Eguavoen said. “The timing of the strike was wrong, but I have faith in them to rise to the occasion on Thursday and again on Sunday.”
Thursday’s match promises a fierce contest between two elite forwards — Victor Osimhen for Nigeria and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Gabon — both in prolific form during the qualifiers. Osimhen scored five goals across Nigeria’s group-stage campaign, while Aubameyang netted four for the Panthers, setting the stage for an exciting showdown as both nations chase a World Cup ticket.