Augustine Eguavoen, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has voiced his concern regarding the timing of the strike action recently taken by the Super Eagles players.
The players initially boycotted training on Tuesday to demand the payment of their outstanding bonuses and allowances.
They returned to the pitch at the Institut Royal de Formation Des Cadres in Salé, outside Rabat, on Wednesday night after the dispute was resolved.
Despite questioning the timing of the pay dispute, Eguavoen remains confident that the team will successfully navigate the playoffs.
These boys that I know, that I have worked with, want to go to the FIFA World Cup. The aspiration of every professional footballer is to play at the World Cup and enhance their market value,” Eguavoen told the nff.com.
The timing of the strike was wrong. They might have had their reasons but the timing was not the best. Having said that, I have faith in them to rise up to the occasion and do the business on Thursday, and afterwards, on Sunday.”
The Super Eagles are scheduled to confront the Panthers of Gabon in the semi-final of the playoffs in Rabat today, Thursday. Kick-off is set for 5 PM Nigeria time.
