12.11.2025 10:30
A major crisis has erupted in the Nigerian National Team, which includes Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen and Beşiktaş's Wilfried Ndidi. The players have refused to train due to the non-payment of their bonuses for the past two years. As the crisis escalated, the ministry intervened.
The Nigerian National Team, which will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup Africa Qualifiers Play-Off, experienced an unexpected rebellion while training in Morocco. The players did not attend the training scheduled for last night due to bonuses that have not been paid to them for two years.
THE FEDERATION INTERVENED BUT DID NOT ACHIEVE RESULTS
Following the incident, the Nigerian Football Federation urgently intervened and held a meeting with the players. However, no results came from the meeting; the players rejected the proposal put forth by the federation. As the crisis escalated, the National Sports Commission under the Ministry of Sports intervened this time.
MINISTRY AS A LAST RESORT ON THE TABLE
In a meeting held by officials of the National Sports Commission with the players, a call was made for them to attend training sessions. However, a clear agreement has not yet been reached. The players are expected to sit down with ministry representatives once again before the training scheduled for today.
HOTEL CRISIS HAD ALSO OCCURRED
This is not the first crisis experienced during the Nigerian National Team's camp. It has been revealed that the players had previously faced issues with the federation due to the poor conditions of the hotel they stayed in Rabat, Morocco.
MORALE DAMPENED BEFORE THE GABON MATCH
The squad, which includes Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen and Beşiktaş's Wilfried Ndidi, is currently demoralized due to the crisis. Nigeria will face Gabon in the play-off semi-final on Thursday, November 13. However, if the crisis is not resolved, there is great curiosity about the atmosphere in which the team will enter the match.