William Troost-Ekong, captain of the Super Eagles, has clarified that the team’s recent boycott of training was not over demands for a special bonus ahead of the 2026 World Cup African playoffs.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Ekong confirmed that the players refused to train due to unpaid allowances and bonuses owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Reports suggesting the team was seeking increased bonuses for the playoffs, he said, were inaccurate.

Patriotic Insights News reports that players have yet to receive payments for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Some senior players are reportedly still owed bonuses dating back to 2019.

Nigeria is set to face Gabon in one of the semi-finals for the 2026 African World Cup playoffs on Thursday. The winner will face either Congo DR or Cameroon in the final for the continent’s sole slot to the intercontinental playoff.

All 24 players invited by team manager Eric Chelle are currently in Rabat. Training will resume only after the outstanding allowances are settled, Ekong said, stressing that the players “want a quick resolution to focus on the big games ahead.”