Osimhen, Lookman, Others Arrive Super Eagles Camp Ahead of Crucial World Cup Qualifier
- Eric Chelle has a full house ahead of Super Eagles' crucial World Cup qualifier matches on September 6 and 9
- Chelle invited 23 players for the matches against Amavubi of Rwanda and Bafana Bafana of South Africa
- Top stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and captain William Troost-Ekong headline the players’ arrival
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Eric Chelle has a full house three days before the Super Eagles’ first match of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda and South Africa.
Nigeria face must-win matches against both opponents if they must keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive, as anything short of six points ends it all.
Source: Twitter
The Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C with seven points, behind Rwanda and Benin Republic, which have eight points, and group leaders South Africa, which have 13 points.
Chelle invited 23 players for the games, including first-team regulars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Alex Iwobi, amongst others.
The Eagles will face the Amavubi in the first match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before facing Bafana Bafana at Bloemfontein.
All players arrive at Super Eagles camp
Camp opened on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, after the final matches of the weekend in the top European leagues, where most Super Eagles stars play.
As noted by Sporting Life, Captain William Troost-Ekong was the first to arrive at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel base in Uyo on Monday, which coincided with his 32nd birthday.
The Saudi-based defender, who played in Al-Kholood’s 2-1 loss to Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, August 28, arrived with Tanzania-based goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and Olympiacos defender Bruno Onyemaechi.
Other players arrived in batches, including the Innit Boys, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina, who flew in from England after their weekend games.
Ademola Lookman, who has had a difficult summer over a tussle with Atalanta over a permanent exit, which failed to materialise, has also arrived in camp.
Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also arrived in camp as the team focused on getting a win in both games.
The trio of Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, and Christantus Uche, who completed deadline day moves to Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace, were the last batch to arrive.
Cyriel Dessers, who joined Greek Super League side Panathinaikos on deadline day, is also in camp and is in line to make his competitive debut for the Super Eagles.
Source: Twitter
As noted by the NFF, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who suffered an injury scare for Chippa United against Richards Bay FC, arrived late on Tuesday evening.
His injury scare sent panic across the country as his other deputies are untested for the national team, and there was a sense of relief when he played the full 90 minutes against Orlando Pirates.
Injury hit South Africa’s camp
Legit.ng reported that Hugo Broos lamented the injuries to key players ahead of crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Bafana Bafana will be without Nigerian defender Ime Okon, who chose the country of his birth over his father's country after he withdrew due to injury.
Source: Legit.ng
