The Super Eagles have boycotted training ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Algeria following unresolved issues over unpaid match bonuses.
Nigeria’s players stayed away from the training pitch on Tuesday, repeating a familiar protest that also occurred in November 2025 during the World Cup playoff preparations. The action was taken to press home demands for outstanding financial commitments owed to both players and members of the technical crew.
Sources within the camp confirmed that the boycott was not a threat but a deliberate decision, with the players refusing to train until assurances are given and concrete steps taken to settle the outstanding payments. The bonuses in question relate to Nigeria’s victories at the ongoing AFCON, including group stage wins and the emphatic round of 16 victory over Mozambique.
This development has once again brought off-field issues to the forefront of Nigeria’s tournament campaign, despite the team’s impressive performances on the pitch. The Super Eagles remain unbeaten at AFCON 2025 and had built strong momentum heading into the quarter-final showdown with Algeria.
The situation mirrors events from November when the players downed tools over unpaid allowances before a crucial World Cup playoff fixture, forcing emergency talks between team officials and football authorities before training eventually resumed.
Officials from the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission are understood to be holding urgent discussions with team representatives in a bid to resolve the matter swiftly and avoid further disruption. There is optimism within the camp that, as with the previous standoff, a resolution will be reached in time for preparations to continue.
Nigeria are scheduled to face Algeria in Marrakech in one of the most anticipated quarter-final matches of the tournament. Whether the dispute will have any lasting effect on the team’s focus remains to be seen, but for now, attention has shifted from football to familiar concerns off the pitch.
