The Super Eagles have opened camp in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as Nigeria begins preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Eric Chelle and his coaching staff arrived on Monday, September 21, ahead of Nigeria’s opening Group L fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Bold Sports reports.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25. Four days later, the Super Eagles will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifying fixture. CAF has confirmed both matches as Nigeria begins its campaign in Group L.
The first training session is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22. Members of the press will have access to the opening 15 minutes of the session before the team continues its preparations behind closed doors.
The coaching staff now have the opportunity to work directly with the invited players. That period will allow Chelle to assess his squad before the competitive action begins in Uyo.
The Super Eagles entered the qualifiers with a squad that includes established players and several new faces.
However, Nigeria will begin the campaign without Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker has been ruled out of the opening qualifiers after failing to recover from a muscle injury. Taiwo Awoniyi has subsequently joined the squad as his replacement.
Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania make up Group L. Tanzania already has an automatic place at the 2027 tournament as one of the co-hosts.
As a result, the highest-ranked team among the other three nations will take the qualifying spot from the group. CAF has confirmed that the 2027 tournament will take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Super Eagles therefore have two fixtures ahead of them in quick succession. After the home meeting with Madagascar, Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau away on September 29.
The squad will also take part in media activities on Wednesday. Players are expected to speak with journalists at the team’s base in Ikot Ekpene.
Nigeria’s preparations come after Victor Osimhen was ruled out of the AFCON qualifiers while Taiwo Awoniyi replaced Osimhen in the squad.
The team will now turn its attention to the opening fixture against Madagascar as Chelle begins his preparations for the qualifying campaign.
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