“Why Are They Training in Hotel Parking Lot?”: Nigeria Fans Raise Concern Ahead of SA Clash, Video
- Super Eagles players have embarked on their first training session ahead of their must-win encounter on Tuesday, September 9
- The three-time AFCON winner will take on the Bafana Bafana in their matchday 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
- Fans have reacted to the venue where the Nigerian team had their first official training on Monday morning, September 8
Super Eagles have reignited their race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The three-time AFCON winners recorded their second win in the CAF Qualification Group C match against Rwanda.
Source: Getty Images
Super Eagles beat the Amavabi 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 6, with a lone goal coming from Tolu Arokodare.
The team will be without Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury in the 31st minute.
Nigeria will face Group C leaders Bafana Bafana in a must-win match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Super Eagles train in parking lot
The Nigerian contingent arrived in Bloemfontein on Sunday evening and were expected to train at the Toyota Stadium on Monday evening, September 8.
In a viral post on Instagram, the team was seen training in the parking lot of their hotel on Monday morning.
Defender Calvin Bassey was seen juggling a tennis ball, CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman showed some skills, while Panathinaikos' new signing Cyril Dessers was mingling with his teammates.
Tolu Arokodare and Chidozie Awaziem were running drills together with captain William Troost-Ekong, tossing the ball around. Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was making a call around the corner before joining the team's workout as Adebayo Adeleye joked around with his teammates.
South Africa lead the group with 16 points, while the Benin Republic are second with 11 points, while Nigeria are in third place with 10 points, per TnTSports.
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Bafana Bafana beat the Crocodile of Lesotho 3-0 at the Free State Stadium on Friday night, September 5, per BBC.
Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the world football-governing body, FIFA, to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player.
Source: Getty Images
Fans react
kassie_ukandu said:
"I like the energy and laughter."
eto_autos wrote:
"For parking lot?"
uchechukwugaeme088 added:
"Good to see the smile on Ademola lookman's face.Something tell me that the Super Eagles will emerge victorious tomorrow.Go Eagles."
bawse_nike said:
"Wait why are they in a hotel parking lot conducting training?"
dewizdan_music wrote:
"My guy Nwabali no send anybody, na him get South Africa."
emmapeter150 added:
"Very good the world cup we already going to the world cup we are there already we are going to beat South Africa ahead."
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a heavy blow after Victor Osimhen went off injured in the first half against Rwanda.
Osimhen led the attack in the must-win match against Amavubi and had the ball in the net in the first half, but it was ruled out for offside.
Source: Legit.ng
