Super Eagles Begin Final Preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF Playoffs
The Super Eagles’ camp officially opened on Sunday in Rabat, Morocco, as the Nigerian national team begins its final preparations for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoffs. The arrival of 10 players marks the start of what could be a decisive week in Nigeria’s campaign to return to the world’s biggest football stage.
The first batch of players and team officials arrived at the Rive Hotel in Rabat on Sunday afternoon, signaling the beginning of intense training sessions and strategic planning. According to Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer, early arrivals included key players such as Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, along with Tolu Arokodare and Olakunle Olusegun.
“Later on Sunday, three more players—Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and William Troost-Ekong—joined up with the squad, bringing the number of players in camp to eight,” Efoghe said. “By nightfall, Benjamin Fredericks and Chidozie Awaziem also checked in, raising the total number of players in camp to 10 as preparations gathered pace.”
Coach Eric Chelle Finalizes 24-Man Squad
Coach Eric Chelle finalized his 24-man squad for the playoffs on Saturday, naming a strong roster of Europe-based stars and local standouts for the decisive fixtures in Rabat. The Super Eagles face Gabon in the first playoff match on Thursday. A win would send them into the African playoff final against either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, also in the Moroccan capital.
The playoff round provides African teams with an additional route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the winner of this series must still overcome opponents from other continents in a final intercontinental playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
Changes in Squad and Key Returnees
Chelle’s squad features several changes from last month’s qualifiers, where Nigeria recorded victories over Lesotho and Benin to climb to second place behind South Africa in their qualifying group. The crucial victories earned the Super Eagles a playoff slot as one of the four best runners-up across the nine African groups.
Among the returnees is Maduka Okoye of Udinese, back to provide competition in goal, while Awaziem also returns in defense. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forward Chidera have been recalled to add depth and creativity.
Players omitted from last month’s roster include Felix Agu, Terem Moffi, and Christantus Uche.
Nigeria, the highest-ranked of the four teams in this playoff round, are widely seen as favorites to progress—but coach Chelle has cautioned against complacency, stressing the need for discipline and tactical precision.
Full Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs
Goalkeepers:
Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa), Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), Maduka Okoye (Udinese, Italy)
Defenders:
Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France), Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England), Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England), Benjamin Fredericks (Dender, Belgium), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia)
Midfielders:
Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)
Forwards:
Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England), Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy), Olakunle Olusegun (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey), Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)