Nigeria players end bonus dispute ahead of key World Cup qualifier
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Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - CAF Qualifiers - Nigeria Training - Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria - October 13, 2025 Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong with teammates during training REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun
Nigeria’s players are fully focused on their 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifier playoff against Gabon on Thursday after resolution of a dispute over bonuses that led to a boycott of training, according to captain William Troost-Ekong.
Players did not train on Tuesday in protest over unpaid bonuses that media reports suggested go back to 2019.
But Troost-Ekong confirmed the matter has reached a resolution with the Nigeria Football Federation, at least for now.
"Issue resolved. We are together and as before focussed on the games ahead!" Troost-Ekong said in a post on X on Wednesday, without giving any more details.
The federation did not respond to requests for comment.
Nigeria face Gabon in their semi-final of the African Qualifier play-offs in the Moroccan city of Rabat, hoping to book a place in Sunday’s final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The winner of the African Qualifiers play-off will advance to March’s inter-continental play-offs, where two more nations will be added to the 48-team field for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. REUTERS