Nigeria resumes training as Troost-Ekong confident of stopping Gabon in World Cup Playoff

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to contain Gabon when both nations clash in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup African playoffs. 

The encounter, set for Thursday in Morocco, is one of two crucial fixtures determining which African teams will move a step closer to qualifying for the global tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

However, Nigeria started the international break with a bonus controversy as the Super Eagles refused to train for three days since the camp opened in Rabat in response to unpaid bonuses that stretched to around 2019.

The full squad, including officials, boycotted training on Tuesday in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments while awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparation for Thursday’s game.

The Nigerian skipper, Troost-Ekong, then reposted the update by a Nigerian journalist, Oluwasina Okeleji, on his X account before adding that: “Once resolution is found, we will be the first to confirm. Any other statement/claim or especially demands other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE. All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead.”

Although the Nigerian Federation declined to publicly comment on the matter, Ekong gave an update on the situation barely 24 hours before the game.

“Issue resolved. Outstanding promises cleared on ground. Team is UNITED and focused as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead! He said on Wednesday evening.

Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and DR Congo advanced to this stage after finishing as the best second-placed teams in their respective qualifying groups. 

The semi-final winners will face each other in a final on Sunday, with the victor proceeding to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico. For the Super Eagles, this represents another chance to redeem themselves after missing direct qualification.

Historically, Nigeria have dominated this fixture, winning five of nine previous meetings between both sides. Three matches ended in draws, while Gabon’s only victory came in a 1989 World Cup qualifier, a 2-1 win that ultimately denied Nigeria a place at Italia ’90.