Nigeria’s Super Eagles have begun full preparations for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, with 17 players now in camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, South Africa, Footynaija.com reports.
Head coach Eric Chelle, who arrived on Monday with his technical staff, oversaw the early arrivals on Tuesday as several key players — including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and William Troost-Ekong — checked in.
Others already in camp are Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka, Semi Ajayi, Tolu Arokodare, Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Amas Obasogie, and newcomer Chrisantus Uche.
The team’s first training session on South African soil is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time, with more players expected to arrive before the session begins.
Those yet to report include Benjamin Frederick (Dender FC), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution), Akor Adams (Sevilla) and Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod).
Nigeria face Lesotho on Friday, October 10, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, aiming to collect all three points and strengthen their qualification hopes. The three-time African champions are seeking to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.