AFCON Qualifier: Super Eagles Gets Ready with Early Camp Arrivals For Benin Republic Clash

The Super Eagles have kicked off their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic with an early arrival of key players at their camp in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze were among the first to report to camp on Monday, followed by six other players: Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

The Super Eagles’ Media Officer confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no fewer than eight players had arrived in Abidjan by Monday, with more expected to join the team on Tuesday.

The full squad for the qualifier includes notable players such as team captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and a total of 20 invited players. The team is aiming to secure crucial points in their bid to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, as they face Benin Republic and Rwanda in the final rounds of the qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles are currently topping Group D and are looking to extend their lead with a win against Benin Republic in their upcoming match at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday. A point from this game would guarantee their place in the final tournament, as they would then have 11 points, with only their final opponents, Rwanda, able to catch up.

Following the game against Benin, the team will travel to Uyo for their final qualifying match against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday. The Super Eagles’ strong performance so far in the qualifiers, including their unbeaten record and a tally of seven goals with no goals conceded, has them in a commanding position.

On Tuesday morning, a new wave of arrivals included key players such as Captain William Ekong, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman, who is also in contention for the 2024 African Player of the Year award.

Defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins, and Calvin Bassey, along with midfielders Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, were also part of the contingent that joined the camp.

READ ALSO: FG to Targets Building Collapse Prevention with Stricter Rules

Coach Augustine Eguavoen, who is leading the squad, expressed optimism ahead of the first training session in Abidjan. “We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are all very positive going into the first training session ahead of the match,” Eguavoen told thenff.com on Tuesday.

Earlier arrivals included goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho. They were among the eight players who had already settled in camp on Monday, which included goalkeepers Amas Obasogie and Stanley Nwabali, defenders Gabriel Osho and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

With 10 points from four matches, seven goals for, and none against, the Super Eagles are in a strong position at the top of Group D.

The team will take the confidence from their earlier victories, including a dominant 3-0 win against Guinea Bissau at the same venue during the 34th Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. However, the team will also be mindful of the challenge posed by the Cheetahs, who are set to host the Eagles in Abidjan due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium in Benin Republic.