Guardian Nigeria
Players and officials of the Super Eagles are expected to start arriving in Uyo on May 30 ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa on June 7, a top official of the team has said.
Super Eagles’ Coach, Finidi George, recently released a team list for the qualifier, which will be followed by another game against Benin Republic in Cote d’Ivoire on June 10.
Most of the 23 players listed for the games are already in Nigeria, except Joe Aribo, whose team played an English Championship promotion game against Leeds United yesterday.
According to a Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) source, the body has started putting the logistics ready for the arrival of the players in Uyo, with some secretariat staff set to move to the Akwa Ibom State capital early this week.
“The NFF protocol department is on standby for the arrival of the team with the players now expected to be in Uyo latest on Thursday.
“I don’t know what has happened to the earlier directive that the team should assemble in Abuja before heading to Uyo, but we have been told to prepare to start receiving the players and their officials in Uyo from Thursday,” the source said.
Nigeria is in Group C of the 2026 World Cup African qualifying series alongside South Africa, Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and the Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles are third on the log with two points after two draws with Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away. Leaders, Rwanda have four points, while second-placed South Africa are on three points.
After failing to qualify for the 2022 edition, the Super Eagles must beat South Africa and the Benin Republic in the forthcoming matches to retain hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
