‘The timing was wrong’ — Ex-Super Eagles captain slams current crop over Gabon training boycott

Former Super Eagles coach and current NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has expressed disappointment over the timing of the players’ recent protest in Rabat.

The team had boycotted training ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon, citing unpaid bonuses and allowances.

Eguavoen, who captained and coached the Super Eagles in the past, acknowledged that the players had a right to demand their payments but said the strike came at a terrible time.

“The timing of the strike was wrong. They might have had their reasons, but the timing was not the best,” he told NFF media.

He emphasised that such distractions could derail preparation for a match of this magnitude.

Still, he maintained faith in the team’s professionalism and desire to qualify for the World Cup, adding, “These boys want to go to the World Cup, that’s every footballer’s dream.”

The tense standoff in Rabat was eventually resolved after hours of negotiation involving the NFF and the National Sports Commission.

Captain William Troost-Ekong confirmed that the players had received their outstanding bonuses, allowing the team to resume training on Wednesday evening.

While the immediate crisis has been diffused, Eguavoen’s remarks underline the lingering frustration surrounding Nigeria’s football administration.

The Super Eagles now turn their full attention to Thursday’s decisive clash against Gabon, where qualification hopes are firmly on the line.