Photo: Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle — The Sun Nigeria (image served via i0.wp.com)
SUPER EAGLES — Nigeria's camp for the AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header against Tanzania is open in Uyo, with Eric Chelle's squad holding its first training session on Tuesday afternoon at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Camp officially opened on Sunday, with players expected to report through Monday. The week's programme, per team media officer Promise Efoghe, has Tuesday's training open to journalists, player interviews at the team base on Wednesday, and the pre-match press conference at the stadium media centre on Thursday.
Nigeria host Tanzania in Uyo on Friday, November 13, before the return leg in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17. The Super Eagles sit second in Group L, where only the group winner qualifies automatically for the finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Squad of 24 named by Chelle on November 7, captained by Wilfred Ndidi
- Out: Victor Osimhen (knee surgery), Samuel Chukwueze (hip surgery), Maduka Okoye (dropped), Kelechi Iheanacho (omitted)
- Debut call-ups include midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi and Mubarak Suleiman
The Chelle era faces its first must-win test
Chelle must solve his attack without Osimhen, who underwent successful knee surgery in Istanbul on November 7, and without Chukwueze. The forward options in camp are Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor — with Lookman the most likely leader of the line on Friday.
Iheanacho's omission continues to draw debate: the forward has been in scoring form for Bursaspor in Turkey but was left out, while Okoye's dropping — after conceding twice for Udinese against Akor Adams' Venezia at the weekend — returns Francis Uzoho to the goalkeeping picture alongside Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo.
What happens next
Thursday's press conference is expected to bring Chelle's first public comments of the window, including on replacing Osimhen. NTN's SUPER EAGLES storyline will follow camp arrivals, any late withdrawals, and Friday's match in Uyo as they happen.
Credit: The Sun, Complete Sports and BusinessDay reports of November 9, 2026.
Follow @newstweetnaija on Instagram for the day's biggest stories.
