By Peter Omopo
September 3, 2025
The Super Eagles have kicked off their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, holding their first training session in Uyo on Tuesday with 15 players in camp.
Captain William Troost-Ekong was among the early arrivals as training commenced a day after the camp officially opened.
Others who featured in coach Eric Chelle’s maiden session include Bruno Onyemaechi, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, Adeleye Adebayo, Chidozie Awaziem, Benjamin Fredericks, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Also present were Moses Simon of Paris FC, wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi.
Several key players were still being awaited as of Tuesday night, including first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, alongside Christantus Uche, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Cyriel Dessers, all of whom recently completed transfer deadline-day moves.
Reigning CAF African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, together with Victor Osimhen and Raphael Onyedika, are also expected to join the squad.
Nigeria will host Rwanda in a match-day seven encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on September 6, before travelling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a match-day eight fixture at the Toyota Stadium on September 9.
The three-time African champions are chasing maximum points from both games as they look to revive their faltering qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to hold across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
