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By Oscar Okhifo
The Super Eagles’ camp in Uyo is gathering momentum ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa, with 13 players already on ground.
The first set of arrivals on Monday included team captain, William Troost-Ekong, alongside Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, and Raphael Onyedika. They were joined on Tuesday by nine more players: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, and Benjamin Fredericks.
A total of 23 players were invited for the double-header, meaning 10 more, including key stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Stanley Nwabali, and Frank Onyeka, are still being expected in camp.
The team’s training sessions are being held in Ikot Ekpene, with a media parley scheduled for Wednesday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
On Friday, a pre-match press conference will also be staged at the same venue, with the first 15 minutes of training open to journalists.
Nigeria will host Rwanda on Saturday, September 6, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium before travelling to Bloemfontein for a date with South Africa on Tuesday, September 9 at the Toyota Stadium.
Meanwhile, lovers of the round leather game in Nigeria have appealed to the apex football team to avoid breaking the hearts of millions of fans with another failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Supporters insist that, with the calibre of talent invited, the Super Eagles have no excuse but to deliver victories in both fixtures.
Some fans expressed their hopes for the qualifiers.
“We cannot afford another heartbreak. With Osimhen, Lookman, and Iwobi, this team has everything it takes. All we want is victory,” said Emmanuel Okon, a student of the University of Uyo.
“The players should remember they carry the dreams of the whole nation. We missed out before, but this time, no excuses,” added Maryam Danjuma, a trader from Abuja.
For Chukwudi Eze, a civil servant in Port Harcourt, the expectation is simple: “Win both games and give Nigerians reasons to believe again.”
“I don’t want to watch another World cup without the Super Eagles. I beg them in God’s name to deliver. I don’t want to cry again” said a young man who gave his name as ” Gallant Eagle”
Both matches are seen as pivotal in the Super Eagles’ push to secure qualification for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.