The Super Eagles began their training sessions in Uyo on Tuesday, ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. A total of 23 players reported for the first training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with Captain Wilfred Ndidi, winger Samuel Chukwueze, and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali arriving last. The team was led by Head Coach Eric Chelle, who put the players through their paces on the Nest of Champion training pitch.
Maduka Okoye, the Udinese goalkeeper, was noticeably absent from the first training session. According to Promise Efoghe, the Media Officer of the team, Okoye was granted permission to attend to family and personal matters and is expected to arrive in camp on Thursday morning. Efoghe confirmed that Okoye will join the team 24 hours before Nigeria's first match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar. The team will resume training at the stadium on Wednesday, behind locked gates.
The first training session had in attendance players like Arthur Okonkwo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Bruno Onyemaechi. Others present included Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredericks, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Isaac James, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi. The team also had Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Usor, and George Ilenikhena taking part in the drills.
The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 27, and then travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifying match on September 29. Nigeria's talisman, Victor Osimhen, will not be available for the opening match-day fixture due to a muscle tear that has sidelined him for a couple of days. His participation in the second match against Guinea-Bissau remains doubtful.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers have taken on added importance for the Super Eagles, given that Tanzania has already secured passage to the tournament as one of the host countries. Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau will compete for the remaining qualification ticket from Group L. The Super Eagles last won the tournament in 2013 in South Africa and finished as beaten finalists in Côte d'Ivoire in 2024.
The team will have limited interaction with the media during their training sessions, with journalists only allowed brief interview sessions with the players before or after training. The Super Eagles are seeking to build on their recent performances, including their third-place finish in Morocco last February. The team will look to make a strong statement in the qualifiers to advance to the tournament.
As the Super Eagles intensify their preparations, they will be eager to secure a positive result against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. With a strong squad and experienced coaching staff, the team is confident of making a good impression in the qualifiers. The absence of Maduka Okoye and Victor Osimhen will be keenly felt, but the team is expected to rise to the challenge.
Key points
- Maduka Okoye will join the Super Eagles on Thursday, 24 hours before Nigeria's first match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar.
- Victor Osimhen will not be available for the opening match-day fixture due to a muscle tear.
- Nigeria will face stiff competition from Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau for the remaining qualification ticket from Group L.
