The Super Eagles’ camp in Polokwane, South Africa, came alive on Tuesday with the arrival of 18 players ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
The team settled into camp on Monday and held their first official training session earlier this evening as preparations intensify for Friday’s crucial encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa. The kick-off for the encounter is 5 p.m.
Among those already in camp are captain William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi. Others include Samuel Chukwueze, Terem Moffi, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Tolu Arokodare, Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie, Benjamin Frederick, and Chrisantus Uche.
Six more players are still expected to join the squad before the team’s final training sessions begin on Wednesday.
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The Super Eagles are condemned to beat Lesotho’s Crocodiles to keep their hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive. Afterwards, they will fly back to Nigeria to take on the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday, October 14.
Meanwhile, the Benin Republic have been dealt a major blow ahead of their World Cup qualifiers after Göztepe midfielder Junior Olaitan was stopped from joining the national team camp.
The 23-year-old, who was born in Porto-Novo to a Beninese mother and Nigerian father, was reportedly detained by Göztepe officials at Istanbul Airport on Monday as he attempted to travel to Kigali for the Cheetahs’ clash against Rwanda.
According to Mega Sports, Olaitan tried to leave the city without the club’s clearance, prompting officials to prevent his departure. The Turkish side insists he remains unfit after missing their last two league matches due to injury.
Benin head coach Gernot Rohr had included the midfielder in his squad for their upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria despite fitness concerns.
While FIFA rules require clubs to release players for official international matches, Göztepe can lawfully withhold a player deemed medically unfit to play.
Olaitan has been a consistent figure for Rohr’s team, starting their last 18 competitive games, and his absence will come as a major setback for the Cheetahs ahead of their key fixtures this month.
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