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Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and winger Samuel Chukwueze have joined the team’s first training camp in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, taking the number of players in the training camp to 23 ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening qualifiers.
The trio’s arrival completes the latest batch of players to report to the camp as coach Éric Chelle steps up preparations for Nigeria’s opening Group L match against Madagascar on Friday, 25 September 2026 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Project reports
The Super Eagles will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifier on September 29, Blueprint.ng reports.
Chelle receives 23 players for the first training session
With Ndidi, Chukwueze and Nwabali now available, Chelle has a large group with which to begin the serious tactical phase of preparations.
Players in the camp include Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredricks, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze.
The arrival of the three latecomers gives Chelle the opportunity to work with almost the entire squad called up for the opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had listed Ndidi, Nwabali, Chukwueze and other established Super Eagles players among the 24 players in Chelle’s squad, alongside first-time senior invitees Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena.
Nwabali strengthens the goalkeeping department
Nwabali’s arrival further strengthens a goalkeeping department that also includes Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo.
The Chippa United goalkeeper returns to the national team as Chelle prepares for her first competitive matches in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. Her experience at international level gives the coach another established option as she considers the starting eleven for Friday’s match.
Okonkwo, meanwhile, is among three players Chelle has received his first senior call-up, alongside Isaac James and George Ilenikhena.
Ndidi, Chukwueze complete the late arrivals
Ndidi’s arrival is particularly significant as the Leicester City midfielder is expected to lead the team as captain during the qualifiers.
The midfielder brings considerable international experience to a team that has undergone some changes under Chelle, while Chukwueze adds another established attacking option on the wing.
The staggered arrival of the players was largely necessitated by their clubs’ commitments in different countries. With the latest arrivals now in the field, Chelle can focus on collective work rather than individual assessments.
The Super Eagles have begun preparations in Ikot Ekpene after the technical team and first batch of players reported to the camp. Reports indicate that the team’s first training session will take place on Tuesday as the players begin preparations for Madagascar.
Osimhen’s absence opens up an offensive debate
Nigeria will begin their qualifying campaign without Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of their first two matches due to injury.
The Galatasaray striker was initially named in Chelle’s squad but was later replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi following his injury. Awoniyi returns to the Super Eagles following his final appearance for Nigeria in October 2024.
His return provides Chelle with another option in attack, while the manager also has Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena to choose from.
Lookman remains one of the team’s most accomplished attacking figures following his recent international performances, while Simon also brings considerable experience in attack.
Competition for places is therefore expected to intensify during the limited training period available to technical staff.
Nigeria faces a one-ticket battle in Group L
Nigeria is in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, and the structure of the qualifiers makes the group particularly important for Chelle’s team.
Tanzania, one of the three co-hosting countries of AFCON 2027 along with Kenya and Uganda, already has an automatic place in the tournament. Although Taifa Stars will participate in the qualifiers, only the highest ranked team, excluding Tanzania, will qualify from Group L.
This means that Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the only available qualifying place in the group.
Nigeria’s opening match against Madagascar is therefore an important starting point in the campaign, with the Super Eagles needing to carefully navigate the group over the six matchdays.
CAF has scheduled Nigeria’s opening match against Madagascar for September 25 in Uyo, with the Super Eagles then facing Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
Madagascar awaits the Super Eagles
Madagascar will provide Nigeria’s first Test of their qualifying campaign, with Barea arriving in the country ahead of Friday’s match.
The match also brings back memories of the two countries’ meeting at AFCON 2019 in Egypt, when Madagascar defeated Nigeria 2-0 in the group stage.
Chelle will therefore be looking for a positive start as she begins the competitive phase of her tenure with the Super Eagles.
The first training session begins with serious preparation
The arrival of 23 players gives Chelle a stronger platform to start working on her tactical plans ahead of the opening match.
The immediate priority will be to evaluate the physical conditions of the players after their respective commitments with the clubs, work on the tactical organization and begin to define the combinations that the coach intends to deploy against Madagascar.
With the first two qualifiers coming within days of each other, the Super Eagles have little room for extensive experimentation.
Chelle must quickly establish the balance between defensive organization, midfield control and offensive efficiency, while managing the physical demands of players arriving from different leagues.
The Super Eagles’ preparations have now moved beyond camp arrivals, with 23 players available as the technical crew begin crucial on-field work ahead of Friday’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers in Uyo.
