Eagles agree to resume training this evening after NSC intervenes to resolve bonus row

MEMBERS of the Super Eagles have agreed to resume training at their Moroccan camp this evening after the National Sports Commission (NSC) intervened in their ongoing dispute with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over unpaid bonuses.

Tomorrow, the Eagles face Gabon in a crucial World Cup play-off semi final, with the winner going on to face the victor of the other semi final between Cameroon and DR Congo next Tuesday. Whoever emerges victorious at the end of the tournament will participate in an inter-continental play-off in Mexico next March to determine who qualifies for the World Cup.

Up until yesterday, all was going well at the Eagles camp in Rabat until it emerged that the players were being owed outstanding bonuses. They decided to boycott yesterday's evening's training session until all the arrears were cleared and they also demanded an increment in their allowances.

Intense negotiations have since been going on and this morning the NSC director-general Bukola Olopade, personally intervened in the matter. An NSC spokesman said: “The director-general has waded into the matter and as we speak, the players have shifted their ground.”

Apparently, the players were said to be demanding an increase in their match bonuses to $15,000 from $5,000 as well as an increase in their daily match allowances. They are also said to have demanded that the federal government fulfil all promises made to the team after winning silver at the last African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Stakeholders are worried that the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board allowed issues to degenerate to this level and have called on the federal government to probe the Glass House over financial misappropriation. Inside sources have now confirmed, however, that the team has agreed to return to training at 5pm today following closed-door talks between senior players, the technical crew and NFF officials.

One team insider said: “They have agreed to train this evening. The players made their point clear but they also know the importance of the game and the focus now is on winning the ticket to the World Cup.”

It is understood that captain William Troost-Ekong, along with senior figures like Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, played key roles in brokering peace and urging their teammates to put Nigeria first. Despite the temporary resolution, the incident once again exposes deep cracks in the relationship between the players and the NFF.