Alex Iwobi’s video of the Super Eagles’ Moroccan hotel sparked public outrage, with Nigerians slamming the ’embarrassing’ accommodation ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs, prompting a defense from a team member.
Nigerian football fans and commentators on social media have voiced strong disapproval of the accommodation provided to the Super Eagles in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament, labeling the lodging as “embarrassing.”
The controversy erupted following a video posted by midfielder Alex Iwobi, which gave a glimpse of the surroundings of the Nigerian team’s hotel.
According to a report from Peoples Gazette Nigeria, the video showed nearby buildings that were “blighted and littered with decayed satellite dishes and sundry clothes,” a sight deemed unusual for high-profile international competitions.
The poor visual standard drew instant comparisons to notoriously unhygienic Nigerian police barracks and dilapidated public school hostels.
While the organizing confederation (CAF) is traditionally responsible for accommodation, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) still holds the authority to lodge complaints and request a change of hotel.
This fact placed the blame squarely on the NFF’s handling of the team’s preparations.
Netizens were quick to criticize the management, with several popular accounts weighing in. X user, Fatoki Solio, captured the prevailing sentiment:
“That hotel is like boys hostel in federal college Ido Ani. NFF don do this one again. How do you expect them to perform at the highest level with this kind of build up!?”
Another user, @Letter_to_Jack, highlighted the lack of respect shown to the professional athletes:
“Imagine how we are treating our players in preparation for Nigeria’s biggest games of the last 4 years… Some of these players are dollar millionaires in their own right, so this is more than incompetence/corruption, it is lack of regard for professionals of their class.”
A third commenter, @Papitijo, warned of the consequences:
“If you read atomic habits, you would know that little things like this adversely affect performance. If we don’t qualify for the World Cup, don’t drag Alex Iwobi! Blame NFF.”
However, a member of the Super Eagles contingent, who spoke to The Gazette anonymously, offered a defense, stating the team is lodged at the Rive Hotel. The source clarified: “Rive Hotel, check online… What you saw are other buildings around, not the hotel itself.”
The incident echoes previous accommodation complaints, including those raised by Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.