By Peter.
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has sparked widespread debate by highlighting the underwhelming setup at the Super Eagles’ base in Rabat, Morocco, just days before their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff clash with Gabon.
The versatile playmaker, who linked up with the squad on Sunday alongside a handful of teammates and staff, is part of the initial group bedding down at the Rive Hotel—the team’s temporary headquarters for the tournament.
Current attendees feature the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Calvin Bassey, captain William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun, with the full roster expected to assemble soon and initial sessions kicking off Monday.
Yet, Iwobi’s quick social media clip—capturing the dated exterior, laundry-draped balconies, and rundown neighborhood—has ignited fresh scrutiny over player comforts and readiness for this make-or-break encounter.
It’s a recurring theme for the three-time African champions, who have previously voiced frustrations over subpar NFF-provided logistics during international duties.
The Eagles punched their ticket to this playoff stage by clinching second in Group C, highlighted by a dominant 4-0 rout of Benin Republic back in Uyo.
Up next: a semi-final showdown with Gabon, where the victor advances to tangle with the survivor of DR Congo vs. Cameroon in the African decider.
Triumph there unlocks a spot in the March 2026 intercontinental showdowns—the final gateway to the FIFA World Cup across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Iwobi’s footage has unleashed a torrent of reactions on X, blending outrage with sarcasm over the federation’s choices.
One fan, @dele003, fumed: “CAF/FIFA are utterly useless if this is the best hotel accommodation they can get in all of Morocco for a 4-days competition. It just shows the lack of organisation and uselessness that exists within those organisations. The NFF should have sent a party ahead though, maybe they could have rejected such accommodation.”
@prolific_eric piled on: “Players representing the richest black nation on earth. There are still people defending this selfishness and corruption. Countries that doesn’t have half of Nigeria’s resources are giving their citizens and national players the best treatment. This is not even a 2 star hotel in Morocco 🇲🇦. How selfish and pathetic can you be to treat your national team players below average.‼‼‼”
@MiraculousSound lamented: “After working on the mentality of the players with this bad hotel you put them. Do you expect them to give you a good results. For their career and football achievement they should play to qualify, but for #thenff this is bad publicity for Nigerian football.😭”
@MntwanaThokoza2 accused: “NFF decided to book the team in a run down part of Morocco (which every country has) they are going to pocket the money….its a money looting skim for them.”
In a contrarian twist, @Ameboibadan quipped: “There is nothing bad inside where they are, it is part of the training. If they actually have comfort they may forget their mission and lose, so with this, they will know that they must win or else they won’t even get transport come house. Thanks to NFF and Nigeria for this discipline.”
As the buzz intensifies, eyes remain on whether the NFF addresses these gripes to refocus the squad on the pitch—where a strong showing could reignite dreams of a first World Cup appearance since 2018.
#SuperEagles #Iwobi #WorldCupPlayoffs #NFF #NaijaFootball #Rabat2025 #EaglesSoar
