National Teams
Femi Soneye slams NFF over Super Eagles’ bonus row and chaotic World Cup prep
By Dayo Awoniyi
The crisis engulfing Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier preparations in Morocco has deepened, following sharp criticism from Nigerian media executive and former NNPC Limited spokesperson, Femi Soneye, who accused the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of incompetence and corruption.
Soneye’s outburst came amid reports that the Super Eagles had not held a single training or tactical session barely 24 hours before their crucial playoff match against Gabon.
Describing the situation as “a shameful reflection of failed leadership,” Soneye said the players’ focus had been derailed by disputes over unpaid bonuses and allowances.
“Reports coming out of Morocco this morning paint a disgraceful picture,” Soneye said. “Instead of training, our players are stuck in endless talks about unpaid bonuses. It’s unacceptable and deeply embarrassing.”
He further accused NFF officials of mismanagement, saying their actions were damaging the country’s football image.
“These are not football administrators; they are hustlers who should be selling groundnuts in the market, not deciding the fate of Nigerian football,” he said. “They’ve turned our heroes into beggars—it’s a national disgrace.”
The controversy coincides with reports of a players’ strike in the Super Eagles’ camp in Rabat. Team captain William Troost-Ekong confirmed that the entire squad boycotted training on Wednesday in protest over unpaid entitlements dating back to 2019.
“Any other statement or claim, especially demands other than the rightful request written below, are false,” Troost-Ekong posted on social media. “The full squad, including officials, boycotted training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments.”
In a joint statement, the players clarified that they were not making fresh demands but merely seeking payment of their long-overdue bonuses before resuming preparations for Thursday’s fixture.
Soneye warned that the ongoing crisis reflects deeper structural problems within Nigerian football administration and called for urgent reforms.
“We cannot keep rewarding failure and corruption,” he said. “The players have done their part; it’s the administrators who are dragging our football into the mud.”
The NFF has yet to issue an official response to the allegations as tensions continue to mount ahead of the Super Eagles’ decisive qualifier.
