Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi recently posted a short video from the team’s training camp in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their World Cup play-off clash against Gabon. The clip, which showed the view from his hotel room and his facial expression, quickly drew attention online — sparking claims that the player was indirectly criticizing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over poor accommodation.
Many fans on social media interpreted the video as a dig at the NFF, suggesting the players were being lodged in substandard conditions despite the importance of the upcoming match. However, further checks reveal that this was not the case.
Where the Super Eagles Are Lodged
The team is currently staying at Rive Hotel, a four-star hotel located in Rabat’s Hassan district. According to the Super Eagles media team, the hotel was selected mainly for its proximity to the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan, the venue for Thursday’s match against Gabon — only about a 13-minute drive away.
For comparison, the team’s regular accommodation in Nigeria, the Four Points by Sheraton in Uyo, is also a four-star facility. This suggests that the current arrangement is not out of the ordinary in terms of rating or standard.
Did Iwobi Actually Blast the NFF?
Contrary to the online speculation, Iwobi did not criticize the NFF. The midfielder later clarified that his post was simply a casual update and not a complaint. Known for sharing snippets of his daily life online, Iwobi had earlier posted clips of himself gaming and walking around Rabat with teammate Calvin Bassey.
His post about the hotel, therefore, appeared to be just another lighthearted upload, rather than a statement about the team’s living conditions.
About the Rive Hotel
While Rive Hotel carries a four-star rating, it isn’t among Rabat’s luxury five-star establishments. Reviews on TripAdvisor place it 71st out of 84 hotels in the city, with an average 2.9 out of 5 score based on 173 reviews.
Room rates hover around $95 per night, which is slightly lower than the $126 charged at the Four Points in Uyo.
Some reviews have mentioned noise from a nearby nightclub as a downside, though the hotel reportedly has soundproof rooms, minimizing potential disturbance when windows are closed.
Despite the brief online drama, all focus now shifts to Thursday’s match as Nigeria look to seal qualification with a positive result against Gabon.
