Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle and members of his technical staff have arrived in Uyo as Nigeria begins preparations for its opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Footage shared on social media showed Chelle and his team arriving at the airport, signalling the start of Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming international assignments. The Nigerian team will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigerian Football Federation has selected a 24-man squad for the two matches, combining experienced internationals with players receiving opportunities to strengthen their positions in the national team. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon are among the established players included in the squad. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has also returned to the team, while Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena have been handed senior opportunities.
Chelle Faces Early Qualifying Test as the September fixtures represent an important stage in Nigeria’s pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Chelle will be expected to guide the Super Eagles towards a positive start against Madagascar before managing the short turnaround ahead of the trip to Guinea-Bissau. The four-day gap between the two fixtures could place additional demands on the squad.
Nigeria’s first assignment against Madagascar will take place in front of a home crowd in Uyo, where the team will look to secure maximum points before travelling for the second fixture. With the coaching staff now arriving and players expected to join camp, attention will turn to training sessions, squad fitness and Chelle’s tactical plans for the two matches.
The Super Eagles will be aiming to begin their qualifying campaign strongly after Nigeria missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The opening fixture against Madagascar will provide Chelle with an opportunity to set the tone for the team’s journey towards the next continental championship.
Key players in the squad include Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, who will be crucial to Nigeria’s success in the qualifying matches. The team’s preparations will be focused on achieving a positive result against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles’ coaching staff, led by Éric Chelle, will be working to fine-tune the team’s strategy and ensure they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. With the squad now assembling in Uyo, the team will be looking to make a strong statement in the qualifying matches.
Key points
- Éric Chelle and his technical staff have arrived in Uyo to begin preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifying matches.
- The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 25.
- A 24-man squad has been selected for the two matches, including experienced players and new faces.
