Super Eagles’ captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and 19 other players participated in the first training session in Abidjan on Tuesday.
The team was in high spirits as they prepared for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic, scheduled for Thursday.
The only player yet to join the camp was Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen spoke to journalists, highlighting the positive atmosphere in the camp and the players’ readiness.
He confirmed that 22 players were already in Abidjan, with the final player expected to arrive early Wednesday.
Eguavoen described the session as upbeat, expressing optimism about their preparations.
Among those who arrived on Tuesday were captain Ekong, the AFCON Man of the Competition, as well as current African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and rising star Ademola Lookman. Also present were defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins, and Calvin Bassey, alongside midfielders Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Germany-based forward Victor Boniface. South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali joined the squad later.
Earlier arrivals on Monday included goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho.
They joined the first group of players already in camp, including goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Gabriel Osho and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.
The Super Eagles top Group D with 10 points from four matches, having scored seven goals without conceding any.
The team looks confident as they prepare to play at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, where they previously secured victories against Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, and Angola in the 34th AFCON finals.
However, the venue was also the site of their 2-1 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a recent FIFA World Cup qualifier, despite scoring first.
Speaking to journalists, Ekong acknowledged that the match would be challenging, as both teams are seeking qualification.
However, he emphasized that the Super Eagles aim to secure all three points, drawing confidence from their past successes at the stadium. He stated, “The stadium holds good memories for us, and we’re focused on building on those positive results.”
Senegalese referee Issa Sy, who officiated the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win against Angola during the AFCON quarter-finals, has been appointed by CAF to lead the officiating team for Thursday’s match.
He will be assisted by compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura, and El Hadji Amadou Sy. The match commissioner will be Ivorian Rene Williams Sere, with Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido serving as the referee assessor.
The Super Eagles need just a single point from the match to confirm their place in the 35th AFCON. Kick-off against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic is set for 7:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. Nigeria time) on Thursday.
