The Super Eagles of Nigeria have officially opened camp in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff against Gabon scheduled for Thursday, with 18 players already in camp as preparations gain momentum.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the development on Tuesday via the team’s official X handle, posting the names of the early arrivals under the caption “Eagles in Camp.”
Among those already in Morocco are Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika.
The players and technical crew are lodged at the Rive Hotel in Rabat, where head coach Eric Chelle is expected to begin full training sessions on Tuesday evening.
According to team media officer Promise Efoghe, the first group of arrivals—Bassey, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Arokodare, and Olusegun—checked in on Sunday, signaling the start of the final preparation phase for Thursday’s high-stakes encounter.
Chelle’s 24-man squad blends experienced internationals with in-form returnees, including Maduka Okoye and Chidera Ejuke, both recalled after strong club performances in Europe this season.
Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semifinal of the CAF World Cup Playoffs, while Cameroon take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other tie at the El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.
Winners of both matches will meet in the final on November 16, with the victor advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs, where a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be at stake.
The Super Eagles — who last featured at the World Cup in 2018 — are determined to return to the global stage after narrowly missing qualification for Qatar 2022.
