Nigeria’s camp in Uyo has swelled to 24 players as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali joined the squad ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Madagascar.

The quartet's arrival completed the latest wave of players reporting to camp, giving head coach Éric Chelle almost his entire squad as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the Group L opener. 

Twenty players had earlier arrived at the team’s base in Ikot Ekpene, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tolu Arokodare, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina.

Other early arrivals were Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredericks, Moses Usor, George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka. 

Ndidi, Chukwueze and Nwabali subsequently joined the group, bringing the number of players available to Chelle for the opening training sessions to 24. 

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye as the only player still expected, eventually joined the camp, meaning the squad reached the full complement originally called up for the September qualifiers. 

The Super Eagles began their three-day training programme on Tuesday, with the first session held at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Nigeria team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that the technical crew had planned a three-day programme as Chelle and his assistants work on preparations for the opening fixture. 

The training schedule provides Chelle with an opportunity to work with the bulk of his squad collectively after players arrived from their respective clubs at different times.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on Friday, September 25, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before travelling to Bissau for the second Group L qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on September 29. 

The Super Eagles’ preparations have been affected by the absence of Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the September qualifiers because of injury.

Chelle subsequently called up Taiwo Awoniyi as Osimhen’s replacement, with the Coventry City striker already in camp and available alongside Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena. 

The September fixtures mark Nigeria’s opening assignments in the race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

With 23 players now assembled and the coaching staff stepping up collective tactical work, attention has shifted towards finalising preparations for the Madagascar encounter in Uyo.

The Super Eagles will be looking to begin their qualifying campaign with a positive result on home soil before turning their attention to the trip to Guinea-Bissau four days later.