Osimhen Absent as 16 Players Participate in Eagles’ First Training Session

Posted : 11 November 2025

Galatasaray FC of Turkey striker Victor Osimhen was notably absent as a total of 16 players took part in the Super Eagles’ first training session ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoffs in Rabat, Morocco.

The team’s camp officially opened on Sunday with the arrival of 10 players and 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, bringing the total number of players in camp to 16.

Efoghe added that five more players were expected to join later in the evening.

Coach Eric Chelle finalized a 24-man squad on Saturday, 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.

Chelle’s current squad includes several changes from October’s qualifiers, where Nigeria defeated Lesotho and Benin to secure a playoff berth as one of the four best runners-up. Returnees include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye of Udinese and defender Chidozie Awaziem, while midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forward Chidera Ejuke have been recalled to strengthen the team’s creativity.

Players left out from last month’s list include Felix Agu, Terem Moffi, and Christantus Uche.

Despite being the highest-ranked team among the four playoff contenders, Chelle has urged his players to remain disciplined and focused, emphasizing that tactical precision will be crucial in securing qualification.

Full list of 16 Super Eagles currently in camp:
Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Frederick, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke.

Osimhen Absent as 16 Players Participate in Eagles’ First Training Session

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