Ahead of a potentially blockbuster World Cup qualifying duel with Rwanda on Friday, the Nigeria Super Eagles’ camp has started to bubble.
On Sunday, Eric Chelle, the new coach who will be having his first baptism with Nigeria, arrived at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Kigali with the full complement of his crew, backroom staff and the two home-based players, Kayode Bankole and Papa Daniel Mustapha.
Victor Osimhen and Bruno Onyemaechi were on the ground with them. The number of players swelled to six early Monday morning with the arrival of Amas Obasogie and Tolu Arokodare.
The Super Eagles assembling in Kigali will hold training at the Amahoro Stadium on Thursday, the eve of their 2026 World Cup qualifying match with hosts, Rwanda.
Sports Village Square reports that as of Monday morning six of the 23, players are already at the Radisson Blu Hotel camp. More players are being expected in the evening.
Rwandans, according to a news report in the local leading newspaper, The New Times, believe that their national team had become a bogey side to the Super Eagles, having drawn all their previous three matches in Rwanda.
The newspaper erroneously reported that both teams had played against each other five times since June 4, 2004. “Each side won once while the other three games ended in a draw.”
Sports Village Square reports that both teams had played seven times, including an African Nations Championship match. Nigeria won twice.