Seven players reported to the Super Eagles camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at 10 a.m. on Monday, ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
The players who have already arrived include William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Olisa Ndah, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Nigeria is gearing up to face Benin Republic in their first Group D match on Saturday, September 7, 2024, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
The Super Eagles’ official X account shared a video clip on Monday, confirming the arrival of these players.
The 2025 AFCON qualification series, overseen by the Confederation of African Football will determine the teams that will compete in the tournament in Morocco.
This event marks the 35th edition of Africa’s premier international men’s football championship.
The qualification process began with the preliminary round from March 21 to 26, and the group stage matches are set to wrap up in September, October, and November 2024.
A total of 24 teams will secure their spots in the final tournament, including Morocco, who qualify automatically as the host nation.
The Nigeria Football Federation had earlier indicated that Super Eagles players were expected to report to their Uyo camp on Monday, signaling the start of their preparations for the crucial qualifiers.
Having finished as runners-up in the 2024 AFCON held in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Nigeria is set to embark on its journey to the next major tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles’ opening qualifier against Benin Republic will be followed by a trip to Kigali to face Rwanda three days later.
Last Tuesday, the NFF unveiled a 23-man squad for these two critical matches. Augustine Eguavoen, who has been appointed as the interim manager following Finidi George’s resignation, has enlisted the assistance of Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede to help guide the team through the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles will also be aiming to avenge their 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on June 10.
