Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze were among the first Super Eagles players to report to camp in Côte d’Ivoire on Monday as preparations kicked off for Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria the duo were joined by six additional players—Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika, Frank Onyeka, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru—who also arrived in Abidjan on Monday.
The Super Eagles media officer, speaking to NAN, confirmed that these eight players had already checked in, noting that other team members were expected to join them by Tuesday.
Captain William Troost-Ekong, winger Ademola Lookman, experienced forward Moses Simon, and the reigning Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, are among the 23-man squad assembled for these critical qualifiers.
With only two games remaining in this AFCON qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles aim to secure all six points from their matchups against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The Nigerian squad officially opened camp in Abidjan on Monday, preparing for their Matchday 5 faceoff against the Beninese Cheetahs, set to take place on Thursday at the historic Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny.
After this clash, the team will head back to Nigeria, traveling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday. There, they’ll gear up for their final Group D qualifier on Monday, where they’ll play against the Rwandan Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Currently sitting atop Group D, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been dominant throughout the qualifying rounds. Securing a single point from Thursday’s game would guarantee their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament, elevating them to 11 points in the standings.
This would leave Rwanda as the only team theoretically able to catch up, but even then, Nigeria’s strong goal tally would keep them comfortably ahead.
Thanks to a recent ruling from the CAF Disciplinary Board, the Super Eagles were awarded three points and three goals for the unplayed Matchday 4 encounter against Libya, which brings their goal record to seven without conceding any.
This strong defensive and offensive performance sets Nigeria far ahead of Rwanda, who have five points and a one-goal deficit leading into these final matchdays.
