Nigeria’s Super Eagles are edging towards a full house in Uyo as head coach Éric Chelle intensifies preparations for Friday’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Seventeen of the 24 players invited for the double-header have now joined the squad, with the remaining seven expected to report to camp as preparations gather momentum.

The latest arrivals include Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tolu Arokodare, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Samson Tijani, Tochukwu Nnadi, Francis Uzoho and Ademola Lookman, who took part in the team’s first training session in Uyo. 

The seven players still expected are Bruno Onyemaechi, Abdullahi Bewene, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Usor and newly invited midfielder Mubarak Suleiman.

Their arrival will give Chelle a fuller squad as he seeks to settle on his starting XI for the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday.

The Super Eagles’ preparations were disrupted on Monday by flight-scheduling problems at Victor Attah International Airport, delaying the arrival of several players and affecting the team’s initial training plans. 

The situation has placed additional pressure on Chelle, who has only a short window to prepare his team for a double-header that could prove decisive in Nigeria’s qualification campaign.

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

Guinea-Bissau lead the group with six points, while Nigeria sit second on three. Tanzania and Madagascar have one point each, although Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts. 

That leaves Nigeria needing to strengthen their position in the group, with maximum points from the two meetings with Tanzania potentially providing a major boost to their qualification hopes.

The first encounter is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before the teams meet again on November 17 in Tanzania. 

While Nigeria have dealt with a delayed start to their preparations, Tanzania have enjoyed an earlier build-up, arriving in Uyo ahead of the clash and beginning their preparations for the Super Eagles. 

Chelle will therefore be hoping the remaining players arrive without further delays, allowing the technical crew to work with the complete squad before Friday’s high-pressure encounter.