Nigeria’s Super Eagles have kicked off preparations for their 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff match against Gabon with their first training session in Rabat, Morocco.
The team’s camp officially opened on Sunday at the Rive Hotel with the arrival of ten players and coaching staff, marking the start of a decisive week in Nigeria’s bid to return to the global football stage.
According to team media officer Promise Efoghe, six more players Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, and Chidera Ejuke joined on Monday, bringing the squad in camp to 16, with five additional players expected later.
Coach Eric Chelle had on Saturday announced a 24-man squad, blending Europe-based stars and domestic talents, ahead of Thursday’s crucial playoff match. A victory would see Nigeria advance to the African playoff final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on 16 November, also in Rabat.
The African playoff round offers an additional route to the 2026 World Cup, though the winner must still compete in an intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
Chelle’s squad features several returnees from October’s qualifiers, including goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forward Chidera Ejuke. Despite being the highest-ranked team among the four playoff contenders, Chelle has urged his players to stay disciplined, stressing that tactical precision will be key to qualification.
The 16 players currently in camp are: Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Frederick, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, and Chidera Ejuke.
