Nigeria’s Super Eagles players have reported to camp in Uyo today ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Following a second-place finish in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Nigeria begins their quest for another AFCON title, set to be held in Morocco from December 21st, 2025, to January 18th, 2026. The journey kicks off with a match against Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7th followed by a clash with Rwanda in Kigali three days later.
The NFF announced a 23-man squad for these two crucial matches last Tuesday. Among the early arrivals at the Uyo camp are William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Olisa Ndah, Taiwo Awoniyi and Fisayo Dele Bashiru.
Other players set to join the camp on Monday include South Africa-based goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, Victor Osimhen, former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie, Maduka Okoye, Raphael Onyedika, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who played for their clubs on Sunday, are expected to arrive as soon as possible.
The team will be led by NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, after the planned appointment of German coach Bruno Labbadia fell through. The NFF announced Labbadia as the Super Eagles head coach last Tuesday, but he declined the offer due to complications arising from German tax laws.
NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau explained on Friday evening that the federation could not agree to cover the significant tax percentage on Labbadia’s salary demanded by German tax authorities.
“We have been discussing the tax issue for the past three days, and I made it clear that the NFF could not shoulder the additional financial burden of paying between 32 percent and 40 percent of his salary in taxes after paying the agreed monthly wage,” Gusau said. “The tax details were never part of our initial discussions, and Labbadia had agreed to all terms before this issue arose. Although we tried to be flexible, he insisted that the NFF cover the full tax amount, which we simply cannot do.”
