Available information from the Super Eagles caemp in Morocco indicate that the players and officials of the Nigeria’s national team boycotted training Tuesday for being owed only $2,000 in camp allowances.
But there may be more hurdles against the team taking on Gabon in the World Cup play-off Thursday as Victor Osimhen reportedly had a confrontation with Captain Williams Troost-Ekong over Tuesday’s decision to boycott training.
As reported earlier by The Eagle Online, Super Eagles players and officials boycotted training on Tuesday in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, protesting over bonus and allowances for up to 30 matches.
However, a top shot in the country’s sports sector told The Eagle Online on condition of anonymity that the total outstanding was about $2,000 for each player and official.
The top sports official said: “Contrary to the impression being created, the money being owed is in the region of $2,000 per person.
“How would they do this on the eve of their glory and that of the country?
“Not even with all the work that had been put into their getting to this stage of the qualification for the World Cup. This is very disappointing.”
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The Eagle Online also learnt that two prominent Nigerians had each promised the team $30,000 for every goal scored during the playoff.
The sports official added: “Why are they not looking at the bigger picture?
“They are on the verge of going to the World Cup.
“Why are they not looking at the fact that they could make more money if they win each of the two matches with several goals scored?
“This is very disappointing as far as I am concerned.”
It was learnt that since the creation of the National Sports Commission by President Bola Tinubu, the Super Eagles have not been owed match allowances and bonuses by the government, which pays through the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The Eagle Online was also told that the decision to boycott training almost led to a physical confrontation between Osimhen and Troost-Ekong.
The Galatasaray of Turkey player, who arrived in the camp early on Tuesday owing to flight cancellation and delay, was said to have told the team captain that they should go for training despite the dispute with the NFF.
However, Troost-Ekong was said to have insisted that the team would not train, which almost led to a physical confrontation.
As at press time in the early hours of Wednesday, the NFF and NSC were yet to react to the situation in the camp of the Super Eagles.
However, The Eagle Online was told that the NSC was making frantic efforts to resolve the issues with the team ahead of the crucial match against Gabon on Thursday.
Reported by Eagle Online
