The Super Eagles of Nigeria have commenced their final preparations for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff, with eight players already reporting to camp in Rabat, Morocco, while star striker Victor Osimhen was spotted rushing to catch his flight from Istanbul.
Early Arrivals Boost Super Eagles Preparation
The Nigeria Football Federation opened camp early to intensify preparations for the must-win encounter against the Panthers of Gabon scheduled for November 13, 2025. Nigeria earned another chance to qualify for the World Cup through playoffs after missing automatic qualification during the initial campaign.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong, known for his punctuality, was among the first players to arrive at the team's camp. The defender joined the squad immediately after featuring in Al-Kholood's 4-0 loss to Al Qadsiah on Thursday, November 6.
Complete List of Early Arrivals
Eight players have already settled into the Rabat camp as of Sunday. The early arrivals include Russia-based striker Olakunle Olusegun and the London-based trio of Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey.
Other players who have reported for duty include Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare, Paris FC winger Moses Simon, and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. The remaining squad members are expected to join the camp on Monday ahead of the team's first training session in the evening.
Osimhen's Race Against Time
Super Eagles fans can breathe easier as Victor Osimhen was captured on video rushing to Istanbul Airport immediately after Galatasaray's surprising 1-0 defeat to Kocaelispor. The footage, shared by S9 Spor on Instagram, showed the determined striker heading straight to catch his flight to join the national team.
Osimhen had a goal disallowed for offside during the match but demonstrated his professionalism when questioned by journalists afterward. "The game has happened, and I need to travel to the national team. I've moved on from that; now I focus on my national team," Osimhen stated, showing his immediate shift in focus to Nigeria's crucial World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria faces a challenging playoff path that requires navigating both continental and intercontinental stages. If the Super Eagles overcome Gabon, they will face the winner of the Cameroon versus Democratic Republic of Congo semifinal. Nigeria's current FIFA ranking of 41st positions them as the best-placed team in the intercontinental playoffs, providing a potential advantage.
Coach Eric Chelle has named a 24-man squad for the playoff matches, including suspended defender Semi Ajayi, indicating confidence that Nigeria will progress beyond the Gabon encounter. Meanwhile, Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma has revealed his tactical approach to frustrate the Nigerian attack by starving players like Osimhen of possession.
