2025 AFCONQ: Sadiq Umar expected as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

22 players observed Nigeria’s senior men’s national team’s first training session ahead of Thursday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers against Benin Republic in Cote D’Ivoire.

The players in camp observed the team’s first session in Cote D’Ivoire on Tuesday.

Eleven players, viz Captain and AFCON Man of the Competition William Ekong, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, his likely successor Ademola Lookman, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Germany-based forward Victor Boniface all arrived at once on Tuesday morning.

Before that, they were being joined by South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Earlier, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Kelechi Iheanacho had arrived, to join the eight that were in camp on Monday: goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Gabriel Osho and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

Only Spanish based Sadiq Umar is the solitary player expected in camp.

The Super Eagles will face Gernot Rohr’s side in Matchday five of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers on Thursday.

With 10 points from four games, the team is in pole position to pick one of the two automatic tickets from the group.