All 24 Super Eagles took part in the Super Eagles second training session on Wednesday evening, as head coach Eric Chelle finally worked with his full squad for the first time ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.
The session, held at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, lasted two hours, from 5pm to 7pm, with every invited player on the grass as preparations for the Group L double-header entered their final phase.
Chelle finally has his full squad
Only 17 players trained on Tuesday, when Chelle opened camp with a reduced group after flight scheduling problems at the Victor Attah International Airport delayed several arrivals. The remaining seven — captain Wilfred Ndidi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Usor, Bruno Onyemaechi, Abdullahi Bewene and first-time invitee Suleiman Mubarak — all reported on Wednesday, completing the 24-man party before the evening session.
The Super Eagles second training session was therefore the first time Chelle has been able to run a full-strength session since naming his squad on Saturday, and the first chance to rehearse the shape and set-piece routines he intends to use against the Taifa Stars. The first training session on Tuesday had been limited to the 17 players then in camp.
What the Super Eagles second training session covered
Team media officer Promise Efoghe told the News Agency of Nigeria that the players went through various routines designed to sharpen their fitness and tactical readiness, with the emphasis on preparedness for Friday’s encounter.
“The first 15 minutes of the training session was open to media coverage, after which the team continued with its preparations behind closed doors,” Efoghe said.
He added that the players were focused and determined to deliver good performances in both qualifying matches, with the squad aware of what is at stake after October’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau left Nigeria needing maximum points from the double-header to get their qualification hopes back on track.
Among those on the pitch were goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.
All eyes on Friday in Uyo
Nigeria host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, 13 November, with kick-off at 5pm, before travelling to Zanzibar for Tuesday’s return leg. The Eagles beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo in September but were humbled 3-0 by Guinea-Bissau in October, and only back-to-back wins will restore control of Group L.
Tanzania, who arrived in Uyo four days early, have also completed their full squad and held their own evening session on Wednesday, so Chelle’s men will face a settled, well-prepared opponent.
Star striker Victor Osimhen remains absent after successful knee surgery at Galatasaray, leaving Lookman, Simon, Arokodare, Adams, Awoniyi and Usor to carry the attack. Chelle is expected to address the media at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — collage by SportsBuddy.
