Okonkwo, Premier League Stars Storm Super Eagles Camp Ahead Of Crucial Qualifiers

The Super Eagles have stepped up preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and several England-based players among the early arrivals in camp.

According to Bush Radio Academy, head coach Éric Chelle and members of his technical crew arrived in Akwa Ibom as the invited players began reporting for international duty ahead of Nigeria’s opening Group L qualifier against Madagascar.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, with the team aiming to make a positive start to the qualifying campaign. Nigeria will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifier on September 29.

The team’s camp is based in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where the first training session was scheduled for Tuesday as Chelle began working with the players available to him.

Among the early arrivals are Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. Their arrival has added further strength to the squad as the coaching crew begins preparations for the opening fixture.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was also expected to join the squad, while other members of the 24-man selection continued making their way to camp from their respective clubs. Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka were among the players expected to arrive as the squad gradually became complete.

Okonkwo’s inclusion is particularly notable, with the goalkeeper receiving his first senior invitation for the AFCON qualifiers alongside Isaac James and George Ilenikhena. CAF confirmed that Chelle selected the trio as new additions to the Super Eagles setup for the opening two qualifiers.

Nigeria will, however, begin the campaign without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the September qualifiers as he continues recovering from a muscle injury sustained while playing for Galatasaray. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the striker would miss the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Madagascar have also arrived in Nigeria ahead of Friday’s encounter, with the team travelling to Uyo after landing in Lagos as preparations for the Group L fixture intensify.

The Super Eagles will be looking to put their disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup behind them by making a strong start to the AFCON qualifying campaign. With the opening fixture taking place at home, Chelle will hope his players can quickly build cohesion and secure a positive result before the trip to Guinea-Bissau four days later.