Eagles Backed to Deliver World Cup Ticket Despite Pay Dispute

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have put a brief pay dispute behind them and returned to training with renewed determination, as they prepare for Thursday’s all or nothing 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa playoff semi-final against the Panthers of Gabon.

The team resumed training on Wednesday evening at the Institut Royal de Formation Des Cadres in Salé, just outside Rabat, after Tuesday’s session was cancelled due to financial disagreements.

With the issue now resolved, the focus is firmly on securing a place in Sunday’s final — and ultimately, a ticket to the World Cup. Confidence in the squad remains strong from both officials and technical staff.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed his belief in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

‘We believe in the players and their ability to make Nigeria proud, not only on Thursday, but throughout these playoffs. We have a team capable of earning a World Cup ticket,’ Gusau said.

Former Nigeria international and current NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, echoed that sentiment, while acknowledging the timing of the dispute.

‘The timing of the strike was wrong. They might have had their reasons but the timing was not the best. Having said that, I have faith in them to rise up to the occasion and do the business on Thursday, and afterwards, on Sunday,’ Eguavoen said.

He added, ‘These boys that I know, that I have worked with, want to go to the FIFA World Cup. The aspiration of every professional footballer is to play at the World Cup and enhance their market value.’

Thursday’s clash at the Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, kicking off at 5pm local time, will be the 10th meeting between Nigeria and Gabon.

Nigeria holds the upper hand historically, with five wins and three draws from the previous nine encounters. Gabon’s only victory came in a 1990 World Cup qualifier in Libreville.

All eyes will be on star forwards Victor Osimhen and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, both in lethal form.

Osimhen has scored five goals in the qualifiers, two away to Rwanda and three at home to Benin Republic while Aubameyang netted all four of Gabon’s goals in their away win over Gambia.