Fifteen players have reported to the Super Eagles training camp in Antalya, Turkey, as preparations intensify for the upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
The team’s camp officially opened on Tuesday, with coaches and backroom staff arriving earlier in the day to finalize arrangements before the players’ arrival. An advance party had already touched down in Turkey on Monday, laying the groundwork to ensure a seamless camping exercise.
The delegation included assistant coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, alongside medical personnel and the team’s kit manager, all tasked with putting logistics and facilities in place.
By Tuesday evening, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that 15 players had arrived in camp, with the late arrivals of Samuel Chukwueze and Maduka Okoye boosting the numbers.
Among those already in camp are midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alex Iwobi, defenders Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Emmanuel Fernandez, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor.
Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye have also linked up with the squad, while midfielder Frank Onyeka completes the list of early arrivals.
Meanwhile, several members of the 23-man squad are still being expected in camp. These include defenders Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi and Igoh Ogbu, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyedika, as well as forwards Ademola Lookman, Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams.
The team is camped at the Bellis Deluxe Hotel in Antalya, with their first training session scheduled for Wednesday at 4pm local time (2pm in Nigeria).
The Antalya camp will serve as Nigeria’s preparation base for the two friendly matches, with the Super Eagles set to face Iran on Friday before taking on Jordan on March 31. Both matches will be played in Turkey after security concerns in parts of the Middle East forced a change from the initially proposed venue in Amman.
Head coach Eric Chelle had earlier named a 23-man squad for the fixtures, but notable absentees include Victor Osimhen, Ola Aina and Stanley Nwabali, who were not selected for the games.
