Nigeria open Uyo camp as Eric Chelle begins Africa Cup of Nations 2027 preparations

The Nigeria national team have opened their training camp in Uyo ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Head coach Eric Chelle arrived in the capital of Akwa Ibom State on Monday alongside members of his technical staff, marking the formal start of the Super Eagles’ preparations.

The coaching team’s early arrival allows the final arrangements for the camp to be completed before the players report in the coming days. Chelle and his assistants are expected to oversee the squad’s integration and the first training sessions as Nigeria turn their attention to the qualifying campaign.

The sessions in Uyo will give Chelle an opportunity to develop his tactical plans and assess the players’ fitness and readiness before the competitive fixtures. The staff will also work on the team’s tactical organisation, set pieces, attacking combinations and defensive coordination.

Nigeria are aiming to collect as many points as possible from the qualifiers and strengthen their position in the race to reach the continental tournament. The opening of the camp represents the beginning of a focused preparation programme as the Super Eagles seek to return to the top of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Chelle will hope to have a complete squad available for training as quickly as possible. The condition and availability of key players are expected to be monitored closely while the team builds towards the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The arrival of the technical staff ahead of the players signals the start of the final phase of Nigeria’s preparations. Once the squad has assembled, attention will shift to the first full training sessions under Chelle and the work required to put his plans into practice.

For Nigeria’s supporters, the camp marks another significant step in the country’s effort to make a strong return to the continental stage. With qualification fixtures approaching, the Super Eagles have now begun their preparations in earnest at Uyo.