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• Holds first training session this evening
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Ikot Ikpene for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and will hold their first training session this evening there.
Most of the players arrived in early hours of Tuesday to the waiting arms of the technical crew it was gathered.
Nigeria opens their Group L campaign against Madagascar on September 25 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo some 35 minutes from their base, then travel to face Guinea-Bissau four days later. Head coach Eric Chelle had named a 24-man squad for the two games with Taiwo Awoniyi called up to replace the injured Victor Osimhen. Osimhen, who is recovering from a muscle strain, will not be fit for the matches. His recovery has been slower than expected, according to Galatasaray, who informed Chelle that the striker would not be ready.
Osimhen was originally named in the squad. Galatasaray and the Super Eagles’ technical team had hoped he would recover in time to play in the Turkish Super Lig fixture against Trabzonspor and then join the national team for the international window. His absence from that game confirmed he was still not fit.
CAF has drawn Nigeria in Group L with Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania. Tanzania’s presence changes the qualification equation. As one of the tournament’s three hosts, alongside Kenya and Uganda, the Taifa Stars are already guaranteed a place at the finals.
CAF’s usual rule sends the top two teams in each four-team group to the tournament. Groups containing a host nation work differently. Kenya are in Group D, Uganda in Group H and Tanzania in Group L, and CAF has confirmed that the highest-ranked team outside each host country will qualify from those groups.
That leaves Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau effectively competing for a single ticket. If Tanzania finish first and Nigeria second, Nigeria would still go through as the top-ranked non-host side. If Tanzania finish below all three rivals, the best-placed of Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau would take the spot.
Chelle’s target is therefore clear: finish above Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in the final Group L standings.
The 2027 AFCON will run from June 19 to July 17 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with 24 teams competing in the finals.
