2026 World Cup qualifiers playoff: Super Eagles hold first training session ahead of Gabon showdown

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have commenced preparations for their crucial 2026 World Cup African playoff tie against Gabon, holding their first training session in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday.

Head coach Eric Chelle led the session with most of the invited players in attendance, except for Victor Osimhen, Maduka Okoye, and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, who are expected to join the squad later.

As of Monday evening, 18 players had reported to the team’s base at the Rive Hotel in Rabat. Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Zaidu Sanusi were expected to arrive before midnight, while Osimhen, Okoye, and Alhassan were granted permission by Chelle to report on Tuesday morning.

Seville duo Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke were among the latest arrivals, following the earlier arrival of Ademola Lookman and Semi Ajayi. Chelle is expected to have a full squad available for Tuesday’s morning session before the team trains at the match venue on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, the team briefly trended on social media after an Instagram post by Fulham’s Alex Iwobi sparked criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation over the perceived quality of the team’s accommodation.

However, the misunderstanding was quickly cleared up after videos revealed that the building Iwobi filmed was not part of the Rive Hotel complex but a nearby structure.