Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and 15 other Super Eagles players began training in Polokwane, South Africa, on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Fifteen of the 16 players who arrived on Tuesday were early enough to join the evening training session that started at 6pm local time, bringing the total number of players who trained to 17.
Benjamin Federick was a late arrival who did not join Tuesday’s training but is expected to be part of Wednesday’s session, making the number of players in camp at the time of filing this report 18.
The camp had officially opened on Monday at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with the technical crew and backroom staff, led by head coach Eric Chelle, already on the ground.
Among those who trained on Tuesday were captain William Troost-Ekong, Osimhen, Lookman, Chrisantus Uche, Wilfred Ndidi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Terem Moffi, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Frank Onyeka, Tolu Arokodare, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye and Amas Obasogie.
The remaining members of the 23-man squad are expected to arrive camp on Wednesday, including in-form Sevilla striker Akor Adams, who earned his maiden Super Eagles call-up.
Assistant coach Daniel Ogunmodede also joined the camp on Tuesday after overseeing Remo Stars’ 2–0 Nigeria Premier Football League win over Wikki Tourists on Monday.
The fixture will take place in South Africa as Lesotho currently lack a FIFA or CAF-approved stadium suitable for hosting international matches.
The clash against Lesotho is decisive for Nigeria’s qualification hopes as they currently sit fourth with 11 points from eight matches.
FIFA’s recent disciplinary ruling against South Africa, which awarded a 3–0 victory to Lesotho and stripped the Bafana Bafana of three points, has dramatically reshaped the table.
South Africa and Benin are now tied on 14 points, while Nigeria and Rwanda follow closely on 11, with Lesotho on nine points.
With two matches remaining, Chelle’s men know that victory over Lesotho will be crucial before their final home fixture against Benin in Uyo four days later.
Two wins could lift Nigeria to 17 points, potentially enough to secure automatic qualification depending on Benin and South Africa’s remaining results.
The Super Eagles will face Lesotho on Friday at 4pm Nigerian time at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
— Punch
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