World Cup
Clear and Present Danger Looms Ahead of Gabon Clash
By Kunle Solaja
The Super Eagles may have returned to training after calling off their strike on the eve of Thursday’s World Cup play-off against Gabon in Rabat — but history suggests that the damage may already have been done.
In the past four decades, every instance of a player revolt or strike in the Nigerian national team, particularly over financial disputes, has been followed by a costly defeat — often one that ended the nation’s World Cup hopes.
There are four notable precedents spread over 41 years, all linked to World Cup campaigns.
The first came in October 1981, when Nigeria, needing a win against Algeria to qualify for the 1982 World Cup in Spain, suffered internal unrest over bonus payments.
Foreign-based players like Tunji Banjo, Thompson Usiyen, Chris Nwokocha,andAndrew Atuegbu had been promised ₦5,000 each — a considerable sum at a time when the naira was stronger than the dollar.
Home-based players revolted, demanding equal pay. The row disrupted team harmony, and Nigeria lost 2–0 in Lagos, before falling 4–1 on aggregate in Constantine.
A similar crisis erupted ahead of a crucial qualifier in 1989 for the Italia ’90 World Cup. The Super Eagles, lodged at the Durbar Hotel (now Golden Tulip) in Lagos, refused to leave for Yaoundé to face Cameroon, demanding that their bonuses be settled first.
A flight scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. did not take off until 4 p.m. — and Nigeria went on to lose 1–0, crashing out of contention for Italia ’90.
The same pattern repeated itself at the France ’98 World Cup, where the Eagles threatened to boycott their Round of 16 match against Denmark over unpaid allowances. Negotiations stretched into the early hours of match day, leaving the team disorganized and distracted. The result: a 4–1 defeat that ended Nigeria’s campaign.
Sixteen years later, at Brazil 2014, both Nigeria and Ghana made headlines for similar bonus disputes. Nigeria’s players boycotted training ahead of their Round of 16 clash with France, forcing the government to fly in a plane load of cash to settle payments.
Despite the intervention, the Super Eagles lost 2–0, exiting the tournament.
Now, as Nigeria prepares to face Gabon in Thursday’s crucial World Cup qualifying play-off, memories of those past disruptions linger — and the question remains: Will history repeat itself?
Tale of the Tape: Nigeria’s Bonus Rows and World Cup Fallout
| Date/Year | Incident | Outcome |
| October 1981 | Boycott before final World Cup qualifier vs Algeria | Nigeria lost 4-1 on aggregate and missed Spain ’82 |
| 26 August 1989 | Refusal to board plane to Yaoundé over bonuses | Lost 1–0 to Cameroon, failed to reach Italia ’90 |
| 27 June 1998 | Bonus row before Round of 16 vs Denmark | Lost 4–1, crashed out of France ’98 |
| 28 June 2014 | Boycott of training before Round of 16 vs France | Lost 2–0, eliminated from Brazil 2014 |
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
England will look to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds when they take on Ghana in a Group-stage clash that could also see captain Harry Kane write another chapter in the nation’s football history.
Kane enters the match level with Gary Lineker as England’s highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, with 10 goals apiece. A goal against Ghana would see the Bayern Munich striker become England’s outright leading marksman on football’s biggest stage.
The Three Lions will, however, face a Ghanaian side that has developed a reputation for attacking football at the World Cup. The Black Stars have scored in eight of their last nine matches in the competition and will be confident of troubling England’s defence.
With both sides chasing valuable points, the encounter promises an intriguing battle between England’s experience and Ghana’s flair and resilience.
For Kane, the match presents an opportunity to add another record to a glittering international career. For Ghana, it offers the chance to claim a statement victory against one of the tournament favourites.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Croatia captain Luka Modrić is poised to reach another remarkable milestone when the Vatreni face Panama in their latest FIFA World Cup fixture.
The veteran midfielder is expected to make his 200th international appearance, becoming one of the few players in world football to achieve the feat. The landmark match further underlines the enduring influence of the Real Madrid legend, who continues to be the heartbeat of the Croatian team.
Croatia will start as favourites against a Panama side still searching for a breakthrough result against European opposition at the World Cup. The Central Americans previously faced Belgium and England during their debut campaign in Russia in 2018 and lost both encounters.
Panama will be eager to upset the odds and keep their hopes alive, but Croatia’s blend of experience and tournament know-how makes them formidable opponents.
All eyes, however, will be on Modrić as he celebrates a historic personal milestone while seeking to guide his country another step closer to the knockout phase.
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World Cup
One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
One person died, and eight others were injured after a stampede during a crowded gathering of fans in central Amman to watch Jordan’s World Cup match against Algeria early on Tuesday, Jordan News Agency reported, citing the country’s Public Security Directorate (PSD).
The incident occurred at Hashemite Square, where large numbers of fans had gathered in the capital to watch Jordan’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria, according to the Jordan News Agency.
Emergency teams transported nine injured people to the hospital after heavy congestion and crowd movement at the venue led to the crush. One of those injured later died, while the others sustained minor to moderate injuries, it reported citing the PSD.
Experts were investigating to determine the exact cause of death, it added.
Large crowds of spectators had gathered across the capital to follow the match, with Jordan competing in their first World Cup.
-Reuters
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Kane Eyes World Cup Scoring Record as England Face Dangerous Ghana
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One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
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