Super Eagles Resume Training In Rabat Ahead Of Gabon Clash After Pay Dispute

Nigeria’s Super Eagles returned to training on Wednesday evening in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa playoff semi-final clash with Gabon on Thursday.

The team resumed training after boycotting Tuesday’s session over unpaid allowances and bonuses. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the pay dispute has been fully resolved, allowing players to refocus on the high-stakes encounter.

NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver victory.

“We believe in the players and their ability to make Nigeria proud, not only on Thursday but throughout these playoffs. We have a team capable of earning a World Cup ticket,” Gusau said.

Also speaking, NFF Technical Director and former Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen, acknowledged the players’ passion while describing the timing of their protest as unfortunate.

“These boys want to go to the World Cup. The aspiration of every professional footballer is to play on that stage. The timing of the strike was wrong, but I have faith they’ll rise to the occasion on Thursday and again on Sunday.”

Thursday’s encounter, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan in Rabat, will mark the 10th meeting between Nigeria and Gabon at senior level.

Nigeria has won five of their previous nine clashes, with three draws and only one loss — a 2–1 defeat in Libreville during the 1990 World Cup qualifiers.

All eyes will be on star forwards Victor Osimhen and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who are expected to lead their sides’ charge. Aubameyang scored all four of Gabon’s goals in their last qualifying round against Gambia, while Osimhen netted five goals in Nigeria’s ties with Rwanda and Benin Republic.