The Super Eagles on Tuesday began preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Madagascar,  with 23 players taking part in their first training session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, The PUNCH reports.

Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is the last player expected in camp, with the rest of the squad already slugging it out for shirts under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle and his assistants ahead of Friday’s clash with the Barea.

Chelle named 24 players for Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with the Super Eagles hosting the Barea in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Bissau for Tuesday’s encounter with the Wild Dogs.

Although the team’s camp officially opened on Monday, most of the players arrived on Tuesday ahead of the evening training session.

The early arrivals included Paris FC forward Moses Simon, Venezia striker Akor Adams, Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi, first-time invitees Isaac James, Moses Usor and George Ilenikhena, as well as Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick, Arthur Okonkwo and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, returning defender Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi, Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka were also among those in camp.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali subsequently joined the group before the training session, leaving Okoye as the final expected arrival.

Friday’s fixture marks the beginning of a new AFCON qualifying campaign under Chelle, with Nigeria drawn in Group L alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau.

Because Tanzania are one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, they are automatically qualified, meaning only the highest-ranked team among the remaining sides in Group L will secure the group’s qualifying ticket.

The Super Eagles will be without Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen for the opening fixtures after he withdrew from the squad to continue his recovery from injury.

Awoniyi was recalled to the team, while Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena provide further options in attack.

Nigeria will be looking to build on their bronze-medal finish at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as they begin their bid to return to the continental finals in 2027.

After Friday’s clash with Madagascar, Nigeria will travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.

Source: punchng.com

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Turkey-based Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson says the Barea are not intimidated by the Super Eagles ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Nigeria in Uyo on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Raveloson and his teammates arrived in Nigeria on Monday, settling in ahead of the star-studded hosts, who began arriving on Tuesday.

Nigeria will be without striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out with an injury, but Raveloson, who plays for Amedspor in the Turkish Super Lig, insists Madagascar are not scared of facing Nigeria, regardless of the big names in the Eagles squad.

“Osimhen is a big player and everyone knows him. We are not scared. It’s football and they are humans like us. Everyone wants to win, but sometimes you have to lose to learn,” he told Football Temple.

Madagascar, ranked 104th in the latest FIFA rankings, have a squad comprising largely players based in European lower divisions and African leagues.

The Barea will hope to carry the momentum from their recent run at the African Nations Championship, where they reached the final, into their AFCON qualifying campaign.

They are seeking to qualify for only their second AFCON tournament after making their debut in 2019, when they reached the quarter-finals in a memorable campaign.

They also recorded a famous 2-0 victory over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 tournament in Egypt.

In their previous meeting in AFCON qualifying, Nigeria defeated Madagascar home and away during the qualifying series for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, although the Eagles ultimately failed to qualify for the tournament.

The Madagascar Football Federation appointed Corentin Martins as head coach in January 2025, with qualification for the 2027 AFCON among his key objectives.

After facing Nigeria on Friday, Madagascar will take on Tanzania next week, giving Martins and his players little recovery time between their opening two matches.

Source: punchng.com

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Enyimba chairman and ex-international Nwankwo Kanu has rallied the club’s supporters to remain behind the team amid their difficult start to the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

The nine-time NPFL champions are winless in three games so far this season and are rooted to the bottom of the league table amid a leadership crisis rocking them off the field.

His message comes ahead of their fourth game of the season against Sporting Lagos in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Drawing inspiration from a popular jingle by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Kanu acknowledged the club’s struggles while urging the fans to continue backing the nine-time NPFL champions as they seek to turn their fortunes around.

“The times have not been most favourable. We understand the weight of the disappointing losses and we are determined to make things right,” Kanu said.

“In the rain, you came out to support us against Inter Lagos. Though it did not go our way, you supported us till the final minute and we do not take that support for granted.

“We implore you to stand with us as we wriggle our way out of this labyrinth.”

Enyimba will be seeking their first win of the season on Wednesday when they host Sporting Lagos, with Kanu believing victory could provide the spark for a turnaround.

“Next for us is a home game against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday as we seek our first win of the season. A win can be a propeller,” he said.

“We are used to victories and we are proud of that culture. Come, cheer us to victory as we kick off a resurgence. We will get it right. Indeed, hard times are not forever, they come and go.”

Sporting Lagos’ visit comes off the back of a rough period for Enyimba, who had their training session disrupted on Monday by the club’s sporting director, Daniel Eke, who stormed the training ground with police officers and arrested some officials.

Eke was allegedly attacked by some men associated with the club on Sunday while he was said to be celebrating their defeat at home to Inter Lagos.

The crisis at the club dates back to last season when Eke was appointed sporting director by officials of the Abia State Government, despite Kanu naming former Nigeria international Uche Okechukwu to the same position.

The tussle also spread to the technical bench when Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu and Commissioner for Sports Nwaobilor Ananaba unveiled Cameroonian coach Emmanuel Deutsch to lead the club, despite Kanu’s appointment of Deji Ayeni.

Ayeni and Okechukwu subsequently stepped aside for Deutsch and Eke, but the power struggle has resurfaced this season.

Kanu and Eke, as well as some members of the Abia State Government cabinet, have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the club since then.

Source: punchng.com

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