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Up to 20 players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as coach Éric Chelle prepares to lead the team in its first training session ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar.
The latest arrivals bring the number of players in camp to 20, with three more expected to join the squad later on Tuesday, September 22, 2027, according to the latest camp update. Project reports
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, forward Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali are the three players expected to complete the initial group assembled by Chelle for the opening Group L qualifiers.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25, before traveling to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifier on September 29.
Awoniyi, Adams leads the offensive options
Among the players already on the pitch are forwards Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, George Ilenikhena, Tolu Arokodare and Ademola Lookman.
Adams’ presence will be particularly important for Chelle as they reshape the attack following the withdrawal of Victor Osimhen due to injury.
Adams was part of Chelle’s original 24-man squad and remains one of the main central attacking options available to the manager. He is joined by Awoniyi, called in to replace Osimhen after the Galatasaray striker was excluded from the two September qualifiers.
Lookman and Simon provide further experience and attacking quality, while Arokodare and Ilenikhena offer Chelle further options as he considers the best combination for the Madagascar match.
Three more players are expected
The three players still expected to arrive around midday are captain Ndidi, Chukwueze and Nwabali.
Ndidi’s arrival will complete the midfield group alongside Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, while Nwabali’s arrival will give Chelle all three goalkeeping options originally selected for the qualifiers.
Arthur Okonkwo is already on the pitch and could train alongside the returning Nwabali, with Maduka Okoye included in the squad.
Chukwueze, meanwhile, will add another attacking option to a frontline that has undergone changes following Osimhen’s absence.
Chelle ready for the first tactical session
With the bulk of the team now assembled, Chelle and her technical team can begin more detailed preparations for Friday’s meeting.
The Super Eagles’ first training session is scheduled for Tuesday, with the coach expected to start working on the tactical approach for the match against Madagascar.
The session will also provide an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the physical condition of the players following their travels from their respective clubs and determine how quickly the team can adapt to the demands of qualification.
The Super Eagles have only a short period of preparation before facing Barea, making the arrival of the remaining players particularly important.
Defensive options have also been strengthened
The 20 players currently on the pitch include a strong group of defenders, with Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredricks, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Bruno Onyemaechi already at the coach’s disposal.
The defensive group combines established internationals with players who have recently earned opportunities under Chelle.
Aina, Bassey, Ajayi, Osayi-Samuel and Onyemaechi bring significant experience, while James, Fredricks and Nwaiwu provide additional options as the coach decides on his starting lineup.
The first call-ups settle down in the camp
The retreat also offers another opportunity for some of Chelle’s less established players to integrate into the senior national team.
Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena received their first senior invitations for the AFCON qualifying matches, with the trio rewarded for their performances at club and previous international level.
Their presence reflects Chelle’s attempt to combine established Super Eagles players with emerging talent as Nigeria begins their qualifying campaign. CAF confirmed their first three call-ups when the squad was announced last week.
Nigeria faces a major opening test
The match against Madagascar represents Nigeria’s first competitive mission in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania are among the hosts of the 2027 tournament and therefore have an automatic place, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau to fight for the qualifying place in the group.
This makes the first two matches particularly important for Chelle’s side, with Nigeria facing Madagascar at home before traveling to Bissau four days later.
Madagascar have already arrived in Uyo ahead of Friday’s match, adding to the sense of urgency in the preparations for both teams.
Osimhen’s absence opens up an opportunity
While Osimhen’s absence is undoubtedly one of the biggest talking points in the Nigerian camp, it also represents an opportunity for other attackers to assert themselves.
Awoniyi is back in the squad as his replacement, while Adams, Arokodare, Ilenikhena, Lookman, Simon and Chukwueze are all at Chelle’s disposal.
For Adams in particular, the upcoming matches will offer another opportunity to demonstrate his importance to the national team. His inclusion in the original squad and continued presence following the Osimhen setback means he is among the players expected to shoulder some of the attacking responsibility against Madagascar.
With 23 of the original 24 squad expected to be available following Osimhen’s retirement and Awoniyi’s replacement, Chelle still has several attacking combinations to consider ahead of Friday.
The coach will now look to use Tuesday’s training session to begin establishing the squad that can make a positive start to Nigeria’s campaign.
The Super Eagles are aiming for a good start
With 20 players already on the pitch and three more expected, the focus is now turning firmly towards the pitch.
Chelle will have little time to make any major changes, with the team needing to quickly establish its tactical shape and understand the demands of the opening qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will hope to make full use of their home advantage when they face Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, before turning their attention to Guinea-Bissau.
For now, the priority at the Ikot Ekpene camp is clear: get the team together, start some serious tactical work and prepare for a Madagascar team who have also arrived in Nigeria determined to get their qualifying campaign off to a flying start.
