A total of 18 players took part in the Super Eagles’ first training session on Monday, as the team began preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoffs in Rabat, Morocco.
The team’s camp had officially opened on Sunday with the arrival of 10 players and the coaching staff at the Rive Hotel, Rabat, marking the start of a decisive week in Nigeria’s quest to return to the global football stage.
According to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer, six more players, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, and Chidera Ejuke, arrived on Monday to bring the number of players in camp to 18. Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has not yet arrived at the team’s camp as his club was involved in a league game on Sunday night.
Efoghe added that other players are expected to join the team. Coach Eric Chelle had on Saturday finalised a 24-man squad featuring a strong mix of Europe-based stars and domestic talents for the decisive playoffs in Morocco.
Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday in the first playoff match. A victory would send the Super Eagles into the African playoff final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, also in Rabat.
The African playoff round offers teams an additional route to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the winner of this stage must still advance to an intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
