23 Super Eagles Train in Uyo as Chelle Begins Final Preparations for Madagascar

Posted : 23 September 2026

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun their final preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with 23 players taking part in the team’s first training session in Uyo. The session was held at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday evening ahead of Friday’s Group L opener against Madagascar.

The team had initially been expected to begin preparations on Monday, but most of the players only arrived in camp on Tuesday. Super Eagles Media Officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that head coach Éric Chelle has a three-day training programme before the Madagascar encounter.

Twenty players arrived earlier in the day, including Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo and Alex Iwobi. Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka were also present.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali completed the 23-man group shortly before the training session. Their arrival gave Chelle a near-complete squad as the coach began working on his plans for the opening qualifier.

Maduka Okoye was the only invited player still absent from the first training session. The Udinese goalkeeper was granted permission to attend to family and personal matters and was expected to join the camp on Thursday, one day before the Madagascar match.

The training session comes after Nigeria lost Victor Osimhen to injury. The Galatasaray striker was ruled out of both September qualifiers while recovering from a muscle problem, with Taiwo Awoniyi brought into the squad as his replacement.

Nigeria will face Madagascar at 4:00 p.m. GMT on Friday, September 25, according to the CAF fixture schedule. The Super Eagles will then travel to Bissau for their second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

The Group L campaign carries added importance because Tanzania have already secured qualification as one of the three hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda. Only the highest-ranked team apart from Tanzania will qualify from the group.

After the two qualifiers, Nigeria are scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6. Chelle has named a separate squad for that fixture, with a number of younger players included.

The Super Eagles will resume training as Chelle continues to fine-tune his plans for Madagascar. The coaching staff now have limited time to settle the starting lineup and tactical approach before the competitive campaign begins in Uyo.

23 Super Eagles Train in Uyo as Chelle Begins Final Preparations for Madagascar

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