Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has warned his teammates not to underestimate Gabon ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff, highlighting the threat posed by veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Super Eagles, who failed to secure automatic qualification, will battle Gabon on Thursday, November 13, at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat. The fixture is part of the playoff round to determine Africa’s representatives for the tournament, which will be staged across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. In the other playoff tie, Cameroon will face DR Congo, with the winners of both matches advancing to a final clash on November 16 for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.
Speaking ahead of the decisive encounter, Troost-Ekong praised Gabon’s quality and urged his side to remain focused, particularly on containing Aubameyang, who continues to play a pivotal role for his country.
“Gabon is a strong team. Aubameyang continues to lead from the front, causing problems for defenders. I’ve played against him in Saudi Arabia, and I know what he brings,” Troost-Ekong told Olympics.com.
“In Africa, you can’t underestimate any team, and we certainly won’t do that with Gabon.”
However, Nigeria’s preparations have been dealt a major setback after players and technical staff boycotted training on Tuesday over unpaid bonuses. The protest, which underscores growing frustration within the camp, has raised concerns about the team’s readiness for Thursday’s high-stakes fixture.
Sources close to the squad revealed that the players and officials have vowed not to resume training until they receive assurances from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding the delayed payments.
The NFF has since acknowledged the dispute but has yet to outline a specific plan or timeline for resolving the financial impasse.
Despite the tension, senior players remain optimistic that the issue will be settled promptly, allowing the team to refocus on the task of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup — which would mark Nigeria’s seventh appearance at the global tournament.
