Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and seven other players arrived at the Super Eagles’ camp on Tuesday in Ivory Coast, ahead of preparation for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic on Thursday.
Our correspondent learnt that captain William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Alhassan Yusuf, and Alex Iwobi are the other players who arrived Tuesday morning, bringing the total number of players in camp to 21.
Prior to their arrival, the players currently in camp are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, defenders Victor Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.
This has added further strength and depth to the squad as they prepare for the all-important match against Benin on Thursday at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny.
The team’s camp opened officially on Monday in Abidjan ahead of the game against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic and will hold their first training session in Abidjan tonight with a full house.
Tonight’s training has been fixed for 7pm local time, which will be 8pm in Nigeria.
Wednesday’s final workout will therefore be mainly tactical ahead of Thursday’s all-important clash against home team Benin.
The Eagles are expected to travel down to Uyo on Friday ahead of their final qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday.
The Eagles, who are currently top of Group D, will be certain of a place in the final tournament if they get a point against the Cheetahs. This would take them to 11 points, and only final-day opponents Rwanda are capable of catching up with them on points.
However, with a current tally of seven goals for and none against (following the CAF Disciplinary Board’s award of three points and three goals for the botched Matchday 4 encounter against Libya), the Super Eagles stand head and shoulders above the Amavubi.
The Rwandans have a one-goal deficit and five points in their favour going into the final two matchdays.
