By Ben Efe 13.12.2025
Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau has claimed that it was the Federal government’s failure to release funds that led to the Super Eagles boycotting their training at the FIFA World Cup playoffs in Morocco in November.
The Super Eagles players shocked Nigerian fans when they refused to train ahead of their first match against Gabon insisting that their outstanding allowances reported running into thousands of dollars must be paid.
Speaking Saturday during a chat with Segun Odegbami on Eagles 7 FM, Mr. Gusau said it wasn’t the fault of the NFF that blight happened. He also dismissed the reports the money owed the Super Eagles stretched back to 2019.
“What happened in Morocco was regrettable; it has never happened since we came on board three years ago,” Gusau stated.
“First of all, we weren’t owing the Super Eagles players allowance from 2019. The money we are talking about was not significant. It was allowances from the games against Lesotho and Benin.
“We did not pay up on time because government did not release money to us. But once that money was made available the players were paid.”
Though the Super Eagles went on to beat Gabon 4-1 in the first playoff match, they wobble against Congo DR in the final costing Nigeria a chance to advance to the intercontinental playoffs.
Mr. Gusau lamented that the NFF did everything for the team to qualify for the world cup, but things did not work out.
“I am the number one person who is not happy we did not qualify.
“Because we did everything, we needed to do to boost the team. But at the end of the day, it didn’t happen. Nigerians deserve our apologies.
“At the AFOCN we will try to revamp the Super Eagles and return winning ways and gain the confidence of Nigerian fans.”
Super Eagles players...money over football.