Super Eagles begin AFCON qualifying preparations with 23 players in camp

The Super Eagles have stepped up preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with 23 players taking part in their first training session ahead of Friday’s clash with Madagascar.

The session took place on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, where head coach Eric Chelle and his assistants began fine-tuning the team for the Group L opener.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is the only player still expected in camp, with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali joining the squad shortly before the evening training session.

The early arrivals included Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi and first-time invitees Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena.

Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Arthur Okonkwo, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and returning defender Ola Aina were also among the players in camp.

Other members of the squad included Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka.

Chelle invited 24 players for Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with the Eagles scheduled to host Madagascar in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.

Nigeria’s camp officially opened on Monday, although most of the players arrived a day later ahead of the first training session.

The Eagles will begin the campaign without Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who withdrew from the squad to continue his recovery from injury.

His absence has opened opportunities for Awoniyi, Arokodare, Adams and Ilenikhena to compete for attacking roles.

Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 tournament as one of the co-hosts, the remaining teams will compete for the group’s qualifying place.

The Super Eagles will be seeking to secure a return to the continental tournament after finishing with the bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Their campaign begins against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, before the trip to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifying fixture.