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Eric Chelle welcomes 20 players to Super Eagles camp ahead of Lesotho clash
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have 20 players available for the Nigeria’s senior men’s national team second training session on Wednesday in Polokwane, as preparations intensify for Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho’s Crocodiles.
As of Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s base at The Ranch Hotel, with Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal) and Jerome Akor Adams (Spain) expected to join the group on Wednesday.
Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, who plays in the United States, is due to arrive in South Africa on Thursday.
Chelle has had to make a few late adjustments to his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace.
A knock to Felix Agu had earlier reduced the roster from 23 to 22 players.
Meanwhile, Russia-based winger Olakunle Olusegun is yet to receive his entry visa into South Africa, meaning Nigeria could face Lesotho with a trimmed squad of 21 players if the situation remains unresolved.
The Matchday 9 fixture will take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 10 October 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Nigeria time).
