At least 19 players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Lagos, ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.
Vice-captain William Troost-Ekong led the charge alongside Atalanta’s free-scoring forward, Ademola Lookman.
Southampton’s Joe Aribo and Everton’s Alex Iwobi joined the ranks too. The defensive line was bolstered by the arrival of Ajax’s Calvin Bassey and West Brom’s Semi Ajayi. Not to be outdone, Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma has also made his presence felt.
As the hours passed, more players trickled into the camp, adding to the growing anticipation.
Ebube Duru, along with goalkeepers Victor Sochima and Olorunleke Ojo, arrived for national team duty after Enyimba’s grueling Championship playoff match with Rivers United.
Ojo, who stood tall between the posts for Enyimba, played a pivotal role as they clinched a 1-1 draw against Rivers United, who had Duru and Sochima in their starting lineup. The draw secured Enyimba’s title as the 2023 NPFL champions.
Former Golden Eaglets star Divine Nwachukwu, among the four home-based players called up, has also arrived with a sense of purpose.
The camp also saw the arrival of notable names such as Kenneth Omeruo, a key figure in the Super Eagles’ triumphant 2013 African campaign. Leicester City’s dynamic duo, Wilfred Ndidi, and Kelechi Iheanacho, graced the training grounds alongside Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi.
Adding to the impressive roster are Nantes’ Moses Simon, Adebayo Adeleye, who plies his trade in Israel, Brentford’s Frank Onyeka, and Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel, fresh off his Turkish Cup victory.
However, the eagerly anticipated arrival of Victor Osimhen, the prolific Napoli forward and the first African player to claim Serie A’s top scorer award, is still pending.
Alongside Osimhen, Super Eagles fans eagerly await the arrival of Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Porto’s marauding full-back Zaidu Sanusi, and Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.