Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong and several other key players have arrived in Uyo ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The players, including Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and England-based quartet Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Wilfred Ndidi, reported to camp on Monday as the team gears up for the crucial fixtures.
The Super Eagles will host the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on September 7 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before traveling to Kigali to face Rwanda on September 10. As of the latest update, only 11 players have arrived in camp, with additional squad members expected by Tuesday morning.
Among the early arrivals are Troost-Ekong, who recently joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood, Lookman, Nottingham Forest players Aina and Awoniyi, Ndidi, South Africa-based goalkeeper Olisa Ndah, and Ajayi.
Other players who have checked in include Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie.
Still expected in Uyo are Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, along with Moses Simon, Samuel Chukweuze, Maduka Okoye, Raphael Onyedika, and Kelechi Iheanacho. Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Frank Onyeka are also anticipated to join the squad soon.
Captain Troost-Ekong is making a comeback to the national team after last featuring in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Ivory Coast. Similarly, Awoniyi and Aina are returning after missing the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin last month, as well as the friendly matches against Mali and Ghana in March.
Additionally, Ndah has received his first invitation since his participation in the 2022 AFCON third group game against Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles will be led by the NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, following the withdrawal of German coach Bruno Labbadia, who declined Nigeria’s coaching offer last Tuesday.
Eguavoen will be assisted by Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede, as confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, in a statement released on Monday.
The Super Eagles are set to begin their journey towards the next AFCON tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Their campaign kicks off with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7, followed by an away fixture against Rwanda three days later in Kigali.
The team aims to build on their recent second-place finish in the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast as they set their sights on securing qualification for the next continental showcase.