Nigeria vs Madagascar Camp Update: Super Eagles Camp Bubbles as Stars Arrive in Uyo
The countdown to Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is gathering pace, with the Super Eagles’ camp beginning to bubble as several of the country’s biggest stars arrive in Akwa Ibom ahead of Friday’s clash with Madagascar.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo will take centre stage on Friday, September 25, when the Super Eagles welcome Madagascar’s Barea in their opening Group L qualifier.
With camp officially opened on Monday, September 21, in Ikot Ekpene, players have continued to arrive from clubs across Europe as head coach Éric Chelle begins putting his side together for the first of two qualifiers within four days.
By Tuesday morning, 20 players had reported to camp, with the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi and other key members of the squad already on the ground.
The early arrivals are expected to step up preparations with the team’s first training session scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, as Chelle begins fine-tuning his plans for the Madagascar test. The opening 15 minutes of the session will be available to the press.
Among those already in camp are Simon Moses, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredricks, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka.
Three more players, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali are expected to join the squad as the camp continues to take shape.
The build-up will continue on Wednesday, when the players will meet the press for exclusive interviews at the team’s base in Ikot Ekpene. The media session will offer an opportunity for the players and coaching staff to discuss their preparations ahead of Friday’s opening encounter.
Chelle’s men now have just a few days to put the finishing touches to their preparations before stepping onto the Uyo turf against a Madagascar side that has also arrived in Nigeria ahead of the much-anticipated encounter.
The Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong start to their AFCON qualifying campaign before turning their attention to the second assignment of the international window — an away meeting with Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.
For Chelle, the immediate task is Madagascar, and with the camp now filling up, attention is firmly turning towards Friday night in Uyo.
24 SUPER EAGLES FOR AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS
VERSUS BAREA & WILD DOGS
Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England)
Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikina (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)