The Super Eagles Madagascar qualifier camp is open in Ikot Ekpene, with first training on Tuesday before Friday’s AFCON 2027 match in Uyo

The Super Eagles will hold their first training session on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, as Éric Chelle prepares Nigeria for the Super Eagles Madagascar qualifier, the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group L fixture against Madagascar’s Barea.

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Camp opened on Monday. The first 15 minutes of Tuesday’s session will be open to the media.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 25 September. Four days later Éric Chelle’s side travels to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, 29 September.

The national team media unit had not, at the time the camp opened, issued a full list of who was already in Akwa Ibom. Other reports said Éric Chelle and his staff arrived on Monday afternoon and that players were still connecting through Lagos and Abuja.

Stanley Nwabali posted photographs of his journey on Monday morning. Arthur Okonkwo, a goalkeeper with a first senior call-up, was among the early names linked with camp, together with other Premier League based players.

Victor Osimhen, first named in a 24 man squad, has been ruled out with a muscle strain. Taiwo Awoniyi of Coventry City has been called up in his place, his first return since an AFCON qualifying win over Libya in 2025.

Éric Chelle still has Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare among his attacking options, with Wilfred Ndidi as captain and Alex Iwobi also in the group. George Ilenikhena and defender Isaac James are among those handed a first senior invitation.

Madagascar reached Uyo on Monday ahead of several Nigerian players. Corentin Martins, the Barea coach, brought a squad drawn largely from European lower divisions and African leagues. Madagascar were ranked 104th in the latest FIFA list.

Friday’s match starts a new qualifying campaign under Éric Chelle. Nigeria, three times African champions, need an early statement at home before the shorter turnaround to Guinea-Bissau.

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The work begins on the training ground in Ikot Ekpene, with cameras allowed only for the opening quarter of an hour, and with the first test already fixed for Uyo at the end of the week.