AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles hold first full training

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze joined the squad late Tuesday, completing the 23-man camp in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa Ibom.

“Nwabali, Ndidi and Chukwueze are here. Twenty-three players are about to begin the first training session,” Promise Efoghe, Super Eagles media officer, told our reporter.

It was reported that 20 players had earlier arrived at the team’s camp ahead of the qualifiers.

They are Simon Moses, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac James, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredericks, Moses Uzor and George Ilenikhena.

Others are Arthur Okonkwo, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka completed the 20 players who arrived before Tuesday’s final arrivals.

Efoghe said the session began with warm-up exercises before the players moved into ball-work and tactical drills under Head Coach Eric Chelle.

“The players started with warm-up exercises, followed by some ball-work and tactical drills,” he said.

He said Chelle also worked with the players on positioning, passing patterns and movement, while the technical crew monitored their intensity and execution.

“The emphasis was on getting the players moving, improving their combinations and introducing the tactical ideas ahead of the qualifiers,” Efoghe said.

All 23 players participated in the session, which began at 6 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The opening 15 minutes were made available to accredited media before Chelle and his assistants continued the session behind closed doors.

Nigeria will begin its qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Sept. 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on Sept. 29.

The Super Eagles are also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on Oct. 6.

Efoghe said all the players would be available for exclusive interviews on Wednesday at the team’s base in Ikot Ikpene.

He added that the exact time for Wednesday’s media engagements would be communicated later.