The Super Eagles camp in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State in southeastern Nigeria, is abuzz with activity as nine players have arrived ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The early arrivals include team captain William Troost-Ekong, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, and Nottingham Forest duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina.
The players reported to the camp at 10 am on Monday, September 2nd, 2024. The full list of players currently in Uyo comprises William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Olisa Ndah, Taiwo Awoniyi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Wilfred Ndidi, and Amas Obasogie. This was confirmed by the media officer of the team, Promise Efoghe.
The Super Eagles are set to host Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 5 pm inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for their first Group D match. Following this, they will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on September 10, 2024, for matchday 2 of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The qualification process for the 2025 AFCON began with the preliminary round from March 21 to 26 and will conclude with the group stage matches in September, October, and November 2024.
Twenty-four teams will qualify for the final tournament, including the automatically-qualified hosts, Morocco. This marks the first time Morocco will host the AFCON since 1988, where Nigeria finished second after losing 1-0 to Cameroon in the final.
In the previous AFCON held in 2023, the Super Eagles, under former coach Jose Peseiro, lost 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final. The upcoming matches are crucial for Nigeria as they aim to secure their place in the 2025 tournament and improve upon their past performances.
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