By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s preparations for Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon received a major boost on Wednesday after the players called off their brief strike and agreed to return to training.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong confirmed the resolution in a short but reassuring post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, writing:

“Issue RESOLVED. We are together and, as before, focused on the games ahead!”

The message effectively ended hours of uncertainty that had clouded the Super Eagles’ camp in Rabat, where the players had reportedly boycotted training over unpaid allowances and appearance fees.

According to sources close to the team, mediation efforts involving senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and representatives of the players led to a late-night breakthrough, clearing the air before Wednesday’s scheduled final training session.

With the impasse settled, the focus now shifts back to football as Nigeria prepare to face Gabon’s Panthers in a decisive play-off that could define their World Cup ambitions.

The return to training comes as a relief for both fans and officials, who had feared the disruption could derail Nigeria’s momentum and invite disciplinary scrutiny from FIFA or the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

While the details of the resolution remain undisclosed, Troost-Ekong’s statement signals a unified front within the squad — a positive turn as the Super Eagles seek to maintain composure and deliver on the pitch.

Kick-off for the Nigeria–Gabon match is scheduled for Thursday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, where all eyes will be on whether the truce off the field translates into triumph on it.

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By Kunle Solaja.

The ongoing standoff between the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is more than just another pay dispute — it is a dangerous repeat of a familiar crisis that could have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s football future and global reputation.

If the players make good on their threat to boycott Thursday’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon, Nigeria risks immediate disqualification from the qualifiers and potential FIFA sanctions, which could range from hefty fines to temporary suspension from international competitions.

Such a development would not only end Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but also inflict serious damage on the NFF’s credibility, both locally and internationally. The federation’s long-standing image problem — marked by poor communication, inconsistent player welfare, and frequent leadership disputes — would once again come under scrutiny.

For the players, the situation reflects deep-seated frustration over delayed payments and unfulfilled promises, some reportedly dating back to 2019.

For the NFF, it underscores the dangers of administrative opacity and poor stakeholder engagement. The repeated recurrence of these crises before crucial matches suggests a structural problem, not an isolated incident.

The irony is that Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most visible football brands — a country with a global fan base, world-class talent, and a proud World Cup history. Yet, its football administration continues to falter in areas as basic as player remuneration and trust-building.

Should this impasse result in a forfeiture, the fallout would extend beyond the pitch: sponsors may withdraw, public confidence may wane, and the government — already weary of controversy — may feel compelled to intervene yet again, deepening the cycle of interference that FIFA frowns upon.

Ultimately, this episode is a test of leadership, communication, and accountability within Nigerian football. The Super Eagles’ focus should be on the “big games ahead,” as their captain said — but unless the NFF swiftly resolves the dispute with transparency and sincerity, Nigeria may not have any big games left to play.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s preparations for Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon have been thrown into further uncertainty as the Super Eagles’ training boycott entered its second day.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong confirmed the ongoing impasse in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, assuring fans that the players remain focused on “the big games ahead” despite the standoff.

“Once a resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm,” he wrote. “Any other statement, claim or demand other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE.”

Efforts by Sports Village Square to obtain official comments from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have so far been unsuccessful, as the federation has remained silent on the issue.

However, a reliable source within the NFF told Sports Village Square that the protest may have been sparked internally.

According to the source, some players were informed that funds had recently been released to the NFF by the National Sports Commission (NSC), but were warned that it might become difficult to pursue their financial entitlements after the play-off.

“The players had initially planned to boycott the last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in November last year, which they eventually lost in Uyo,” the source revealed.

 “That action was only averted by the prompt intervention of NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, who flew into Uyo hours before the match.”

The source added that the outstanding payments include both long-standing claims dating back to 2019 and more recent entitlements.

Another insider in Rabat confirmed on Wednesday that the situation remains tense. If the Super Eagles fail to train again today, they risk losing the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the turf of the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan, the venue for the decisive clash with Gabon.

There are growing fears that, if unresolved, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown boycott of the match — a move that could see Nigeria disqualified from the World Cup qualifiers and face possible FIFA sanctions.

Meanwhile, a contingent of Nigerian supporters was airlifted to Rabat via Casablanca on Tuesday, reportedly under the sponsorship of the NSC. Additional officials and supporters are expected to depart on Thursday morning, pending the approval of their Moroccan visas.

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