AFCON qualifiers: 17 Eagles train ahead Tanzania clash

Nigeria’s preparations for their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania began on Tuesday, with 17 of the 24 invited players available for the Super Eagles’ first training session in Uyo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The players’ arrival was delayed by flight scheduling challenges at the Victor Attah International Airport on Monday, disrupting activities on the first day of camp.

Ten players arrived on Tuesday morning. They included goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo, Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredrick and Alhassan Yusuf.

Seven more players — Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Samson Tijani, Tochukwu Nnadi, Francis Uzoho and Ademola Lookman — were spotted during the training session, bringing the number of available players to 15.

The seven players still expected to join the squad are Bruno Onyemaechi, Abdullahi Bewene, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Usor and new invitee Mubarak Suleiman.

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The Super Eagles are preparing for a double-header against Tanzania, with the first leg scheduled for Friday in Uyo before the return fixture in Dar es Salaam four days later.

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

With Tanzania already qualified for the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, only one additional ticket is available from the group.

Nigeria currently occupy second place behind leaders Guinea-Bissau and will be targeting maximum points from the double-header to strengthen their position.

The Super Eagles will hope to have the full squad available as preparations intensify ahead of Friday’s encounter.