The Super Eagles of Nigeria officially kicked off their training camp in Rabat, Morocco, on Sunday, as preparations intensify for their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff clash against Gabon.
According to the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, ten players were already in camp by Sunday night, marking the beginning of what promises to be a pivotal week in Nigeria’s quest to return to the world’s biggest football stage.
The first batch of arrivals — Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Olakunle Olusegun — checked into the Rive Hotel in Rabat on Sunday afternoon. Later in the evening, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and William Troost-Ekong joined the group, before Benjamin Fredericks and Chidozie Awaziem arrived to bring the total number of players in camp to ten.
Coach Eric Chelle, who on Saturday unveiled his final 24-man squad for the playoffs, is expected to welcome the remaining players before full training begins on Monday. The squad features a blend of Europe-based stars and local talents as the team prepares for two make-or-break encounters in Morocco.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the first leg of the playoff on Thursday. Victory in that match would set up a final showdown against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, also in Rabat.
The playoff round serves as an additional qualification route for African teams. However, the eventual winner must still compete in an intercontinental playoff slated for March 2026 in Mexico to seal a ticket to the World Cup.
Chelle’s latest list features some notable returns, including goalkeeper Maduka Okoye of Udinese and defender Chidozie Awaziem. Raphael Onyedika and Chidera Ejuke are also recalled to strengthen the midfield and attack, respectively.
Meanwhile, Felix Agu, Terem Moffi, and Christantus Uche were left out of the current roster.
The Super Eagles qualified for this playoff round as one of the four best runners-up from the nine African groups, following victories over Lesotho and Benin Republic in October. Nigeria, the highest-ranked side among the remaining four teams, are favourites to progress — but Chelle has urged his players to remain focused and disciplined.
