AFCON qualifiers: Flight schedule delays Eagles, Taifa Stars arrival

The Super Eagles’ preparation for Friday’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania is yet to gather momentum, with both teams still awaiting the arrival of their players in Uyo as of Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Our correspondent gathered that the players may have been affected by delays and changes in flight schedules.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, however, arrived in Uyo in the early hours of Monday and was joined by one of his assistants, Daniel Ogunmodede, later in the day, but preparations for the crucial encounter were yet to gather momentum as the players were still expected in camp.

Sources in Uyo told our correspondent that no Super Eagles player had arrived at the Victor Attah International Airport as of Monday evening, while Tanzania’s flight had also been rescheduled to Tuesday (today).

“We were at the airport from morning until evening on Monday, and none of the players arrived. When the last flight of the day landed, we checked the manifest, but no player was on board,” the source told our correspondent.

“For Tanzania, they were also due to land in Uyo today, but we were told they would not be coming until Tuesday.”

Tanzania have made a slow start to Group L, losing 2-0 to Guinea-Bissau before playing a 1-1 draw against Madagascar in their opening two matches.

However, having secured automatic qualification for the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, the Taifa Stars will use the qualifying campaign to prepare for the continental showpiece.

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With Tanzania’s automatic qualification leaving just one available ticket from Group L, Nigeria currently occupy second place behind leaders Guinea-Bissau.

The Super Eagles will be targeting maximum points from the double-header against Tanzania to strengthen their qualification hopes and improve their chances of securing the group’s remaining ticket.

Nigeria have three points from their opening two fixtures, beating Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau.

For the crucial assignment, Chelle released his 24-man squad on Saturday but will be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who has again been sidelined by injury.

Osimhen also missed Nigeria’s previous two qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in September due to injury.

Among the players called up by Chelle are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Benjamin Frederick, midfielders Tochukwu Nnadi and Samson Tijani, as well as forwards Moses Usor and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Turkey-based defender Chibuike Nwaiwu and Czechia-based wing-back Abdullahi Bewene are also included in the squad.

Nigeria, who are second in Group L, will face Tanzania in a double-header, with the first leg scheduled for Friday in Uyo before the return fixture in Dar es Salaam four days later.