Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has criticized the recent dispute over match bonuses between the Super Eagles and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), describing it as a “real shame.”
The issue threatened Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff on Tuesday after reports emerged that the team refused to train in protest over unpaid bonuses.
However, a statement released by the Super Eagles on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that the matter has been resolved and that the players are in good spirits ahead of Thursday’s crucial semi-final clash with Gabon in Rabat.
Deeney expressed disappointment over the timing of such off-field distractions, noting that this is not the first time Nigerian football has been affected by similar issues during important matches.
“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,” he told CBS Sports Golazo.
Should Nigeria defeat Gabon, they will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final playoff. Cameroon and DR Congo are scheduled to play later on Thursday evening.