Composite photo showing three Super Eagles players in white Nigeria kits on the pitch (left) and Madagascar national team players arriving in a hotel lobby in Uyo (right) ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifier

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have opened their training camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. 

Head coach Éric Chelle and his technical staff arrived in the city on Monday, September 21, to begin preparations for the Group L double-header. The team will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, September 25, with kick-off set for 5 p.m. Nigerian time, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later on September 29.

Super Eagles players and staff standing with their luggage at an airport baggage claim area as they arrive ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifier camp in Uyo
Super Eagles players arrived at Uyo Airport

Madagascar’s national team, the Barea, landed at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo around 2:05 p.m. on the same day with a 28-member delegation of players and officials. Additional members of the visiting squad are expected to join on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Super Eagles players have begun arriving in stages. Several key squad members, including midfielder Alex Iwobi and defenders Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, were reported en route to camp on Monday evening, with the bulk of the remaining players due to check in on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of both fixtures because of a muscle strain. Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up as his replacement, marking his return to the national team after a two-year absence. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Stanley Nwabali and other established players remain available as the coaching staff finalises plans for the opening qualifier.