Super Eagles Captain Ekong Releases Statement After Players Boycott Training Over Unpaid Bonuses
- Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has published a statement after the players boycotted training before Gabon clash
- The Nigerian players refused to train on Tuesday evening in Rabat ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Gabon
- Troost-Ekong debunked the claims of special requests from the players and confirmed they were protesting outstanding allowances
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has published a statement after the players boycotted training ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off against Gabon.
Nigerian players refused to train on Tuesday despite having a full house of the invited 24 players after Victor Osimhen arrived at camp.
Source: Twitter
The Super Eagles players and staff protested against the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid allowances ahead of the high-stakes match.
The boycott generated mixed reactions on social media, and new reports emerged that the players were asking for special bonuses and that the outstanding had been paid.
Ekong releases statement after Super Eagles strike
Captain William Troost-Ekong shared a post on his X page, confirming that a post by journalist Oluwashina Okeleji claiming the boycott was “because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments”, is the only true account of the incident.
“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,” Ekong wrote.
Nigerians reacted to the captain’s statement with support for the players against the NFF, which has grown unpopular amid allegations of mismanagement.
@Itata_9 wrote:
“We're behind you guys every step of the way. We want nothing more than to see the team shine at the World Cup. The NFF should do everything they're supposed to do to ensure that happens.”
@olashile_elijah wrote:
“Weldone Team. Stand your ground on this matter. NFF can do better.”
@firstpapasam wrote:
“I really honour you guys for your ability to still wear these colours.”
Source: Getty Images
@adewuyi_shola wrote:
“Thank you for standing your ground and leading this group in the right direction to make the necessary changes that will benefit Nigerian football.”
According to London Evening Standard, the NFF owes the players unpaid allowances dating back to 2019, and has yet to pay the AFCON 2023 final bonus or the World Cup playoff bonus.
The captain’s statement reflects that the players are fighting for these outstanding allowances, and not a “special bonus” misinformation by some in the Nigerian media.
The NFF has yet to publish an official statement in response to the incident, and expects that a resolution will be reached on Wednesday so that the team can train ahead of the match on Thursday.
Nigerian journalist who asked not to be named because of the involvement of close colleagues in the incident, slammed journalists for peddling misinformation, enough to attract the attention of the captain.
"As journalists we owe the public accurate information, but if some top journalists are caught in misinformation, where else should the public look to?," he told Legit.ng.
"Senior reporters with close ties to the players and sources in the federation are caught in misinformation, it is very bad and thanks to William Troost-Ekong for clearing things up."
NFF president confirmed owed bonuses
Legit.ng previously reported that NFF president Ibrahim Gusau confirmed that the federation owed Super Falcons “little outstanding” after winning WAFCON 2025.
The president acknowledged that the federation owes the WAFCON-winning team, but denied that it was up to the figure quoted in the media
Source: Legit.ng
