By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s senior men national team on Tuesday September 3, 2024, kicked off training ahead of the opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The Nigerian team had opened camp on Monday with 20 players out of the invited 23 already taking part in the training, Heritage Times HT reports.
The players yet to arrive as at last count are forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.
Early Birds
Captain William Ekong led from the front, arriving on Monday with the earliest birds, which included defenders Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, and Olisa Ndah, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and forwards Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi were in town, and forward Victor Boniface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali joined in the evening.
On Tuesday morning, defender Calvin Bassey and midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka pitched in, before defender Benjamin Tanimu (drafted in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel), midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze landed.
In the evening, just before the team bus pulled out of the hotel for training, defender Bruno Onyemaechi (of Portuguese club Boavista) and midfielder Raphael Onyedika (of Belgian side Club Brugge) arrived in camp.
After Saturday’s encounter, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to Kigali on Sunday for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.
Cheetahs Arrival Date Amidst Previous Memory
Meanwhile, the Benin Republic squad led by for Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr have confirmed that they will arrive Nigeria on Thursday for Nigeria’s clash.
Nigeria under Finidi George had suffered shock loss in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the cheetahs, few months ago.
Now, under Austin Eguavoen, the Nigerian team will hope to bounce back to victory.
