Super Eagles Begin AFCON 2027 Preparations With 23 Players in Camp
Super Eagles Begin AFCON 2027 Preparations With 23 Players in Camp
Nigeria’s 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 Group L opener against Madagascar.
The session was held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday as head coach Éric Chelle and his assistants began preparations for the encounter. Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali and Samuel Chukwueze were among the players who joined the camp, bringing the number in training to 23.
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye remained the only player from Chelle’s original squad yet to arrive in camp. The Nigeria Football Federation had initially named a 24-man squad for the opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on September 29. CAF has confirmed the Madagascar fixture for 16:00 GMT.
The Super Eagles are beginning the qualifiers without striker Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of both matches after the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that he is continuing his recovery from a muscle injury.
The team will continue training in Uyo as Chelle works on his final plans for Nigeria’s opening Group L fixture.
