The Super Eagles of Nigeria have completed their first full training session ahead of Saturday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
All 23 invited players were present at the session, marking a major boost for the national team. Leading the final group of arrivals was Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray’s in-form striker and former African Footballer of the Year. He was joined by Christantus Uche, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, and Raphael Onyedika. On Wednesday, the squad was further strengthened with the arrivals of Africa Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and Cyriel Dessers, the new Panathinaikos striker.
By Tuesday, 16 players had already checked into camp in Uyo, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali being the last to join after recovering from an injury scare. His presence was seen as a big morale boost for the team and fans.
A training video released by NFFTV showed the players undergoing light conditioning exercises to ease off jet lag before the full squad engaged in intensive ball drills under the supervision of Franco-Malian coach Eric Sekou Chelle and his technical crew.
Saturday’s clash is critical for both teams, with Nigeria currently sitting fourth in the group on seven points. Rwanda are second with eight points, level with Benin Republic, while South Africa lead the pack with 13 points (pending FIFA’s ruling on their use of an ineligible player). Lesotho and Zimbabwe are just behind with six and four points respectively.
The encounter in Uyo comes barely five months after Nigeria defeated Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali in their Matchday 5 meeting. The same squad of 23 will also be expected to face South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein at the Toyota Stadium (Free State Stadium) for Matchday 8.
Summary: The Super Eagles are fully assembled in Uyo with all 23 invited players ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda. With stars like Osimhen, Lookman, and Chukwueze in camp, Nigeria will look to secure a crucial victory to boost their qualification hopes before facing South Africa next week.
