Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with 21 players already in camp ahead of Friday’s opening clash against Madagascar.

The players have reported to the team’s base in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as head coach Eric Chelle begins preparations for the two opening Group L fixtures.

Among the early arrivals are key players Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey, alongside a strong contingent of established and emerging Super Eagles stars. 

Simon Moses, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredericks, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena are also in camp.

The other players currently with the squad are Arthur Okonkwo, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka and the aforementioned Iwobi, Lookman and Bassey. 

Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were expected to arrive later on Tuesday.

“Camp opened today, and preparations have commenced for the qualifiers,” Efoghe told the News Agency of Nigeria. 

Chelle and his technical crew had arrived in Akwa Ibom on Monday ahead of the players, with the coaching staff now set to intensify tactical preparations for the opening qualifying fixture. 

Nigeria will host Madagascar’s Barea on Friday, September 25, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, in what will be the Super Eagles’ first match of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The three-time African champions will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on September 29, giving Chelle only a short turnaround between the opening two fixtures. 

The team’s first training session is scheduled for Tuesday, with the opening 15 minutes to be made available to accredited media.

Players will also participate in media engagements on Wednesday at the team’s Ikot Ekpene base, with the exact timing to be communicated by the team’s media department. 

The Super Eagles are entering a new qualifying campaign after finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 2027 tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

With the squad gradually taking shape, Chelle will have the next few training sessions to assess his players and finalise preparations for the encounter with Madagascar.