The build-up to Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has intensified with 13 Super Eagles players now in camp ahead of the double-header against Rwanda and South Africa. The squad, housed at Four Points by Sheraton in Ikot Ekpene, has welcomed a strong mix of Europe-based stars, though 10 key names are still expected to join before Wednesday.
Among the latest arrivals on Tuesday morning were Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Benjamin Fredericks, and goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye. They joined William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika, who reported for duty on Monday.
Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed the arrivals, noting that the rest of the 23-man squad is scheduled to hit camp between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. “We have 13 players already training. By tomorrow, the full squad should be complete,” Efoghe said, adding that media engagements will be rolled out this week, including Wednesday’s press conference with coach Eric Chelle and selected players at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium training ground.
Still awaited in camp are first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, as well as the attacking quartet of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Cyriel Dessers. Christantus Uche and Tolu Arokodare are also expected to join, boosting Nigeria’s firepower ahead of Friday’s showdown.
Nigeria faces Rwanda on Friday, September 5, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before traveling to Bloemfontein to play South Africa on Monday, September 8. Both games are must-win fixtures as only the top team in each qualifying group books an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C with two points from two games. South Africa leads the group with four points, tied with Rwanda, who are second on inferior goal difference. With qualification stakes so high, the clash in Uyo is already being described as a “make-or-break” moment for Eric Chelle’s men.
Fans are expected to pack the Uyo stadium in their thousands, hoping to see Osimhen and his fellow attackers deliver goals that could revive Nigeria’s campaign. For a squad that has struggled to assert itself in the qualifiers so far, the next few days of training in camp could prove decisive in shaping the Super Eagles’ World Cup destiny.
