Follow Us on Google
By Seyi Babalola
Troy Deeney, a former Premier League attacker, has branded the match bonuses dispute between the Super Eagles and Nigeria’s football administrators, the Nigerian Football Federation, as a real shame.
Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff was called into question on Tuesday when it was revealed that the players refused to train as a protest over unpaid match bonuses.
However, the squad issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying that all issues had been settled and that the players were in a good mood for Thursday’s match.
Deeney lamented the timing of such distractions, noting that this was neither the first, second nor the third time off-field issues like this would spring up during crucial moments in Nigerian football.
Other News
“It’s a real shame because it’s a huge moment in the World Cup qualifiers and we are now talking about off-the-pitch stuff again.
“It’s not the first time, not the second time,” Deeney told CBS Sports Golazo.
Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo if they are able to beat Gabon in the first semi-final game in Rabat on Thursday.
Cameroon will play DR Congo in the other game later in the evening.
