Last-minute flight cancellations and schedule changes nearly disrupted the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria sit second in Group L after a 2-1 win over Madagascar and a 3-0 loss in Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts with Kenya and Uganda, so the Super Eagles need results from these remaining fixtures if they are to claim the one available qualifying ticket from the group.
Head coach Eric Chelle arrived in Uyo early on Monday with members of his technical team, but the players did not follow. Officials waited at Victor Attah International Airport from morning until the last flight of the day, only to discover that no Super Eagles player was on the manifest.
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Tanzania faced the same problem. The Taifa Stars had been due to land earlier but saw their flight pushed back, first to Monday and then to Tuesday.
Players finally report to camp
The Super Eagles contingent has now begun arriving in Uyo. Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Arthur Okonkwo, Semi Ajayi, Benjamin Fredrick, Alhassan Yusuf, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Victor Moses are among those who have reported to camp after the delayed flights.
The first full training session took place at 5pm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Tanzania’s players also completed their delayed journey and are settling in ahead of Friday’s clash at the same venue, with the return leg set for Zanzibar four days later.
Chelle now has the bulk of his squad on the ground and limited time to integrate the late arrivals before a crucial Group L double-header.
