The Nigeria national football team camp in Antalya, Turkey, on Tuesday evening received 13 of the 23 invited players. The Super Eagles are preparing for high-profile international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan.
Head coach Éric Chelle is already on the ground to lead the squad through their tactical drills.
The team is currently staying at the Bellis Deluxe Hotel as they settle into their European base.
Among the early birds are established stars like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, and Moses Simon.
Unfortunately, it’s just been announced that Calvin Bassey has withdrawn from the squad against Iran and Jordan due to a back injury.
The arrival of these key players allegedly signals a strong start to the team’s preparation for the 2026 international window.
Complete Sports reported that the mood in the camp is high as the players focus on the upcoming challenges.
The technical crew stated that the remaining ten players should link up with the rest of the squad within the next 24 to 48 hours.
New Invitees Join Veteran Stars At Bellis Deluxe Hotel Base
The camp features a mix of experienced hands and fresh talent ready to prove their worth. New invitees Emmanuel Fernandez, Yira Collins Sor, and Philip Otele have already linked up with the squad.
Their presence alleged that coach Chelle is looking to expand his options ahead of future competitive qualifiers.
“The team will hold their first training session on Wednesday at 4 pm local time,” the team media officer stated. This translates to 2 pm Nigerian time, giving fans back home a chance to follow the early progress.
Experienced defenders Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel are also among those ready for the first session.
“We are focused on building a cohesive unit before we face Iran and Jordan,” a member of the technical staff added.
They alleged that the early arrival of more than half the squad is a positive sign of commitment. Bruno Onyemaechi and Paul Onuachu are also part of the group currently in Turkey.
Samuel Chukwueze And Maduka Okoye Expected In Camp Later
While the camp is already bustling with activity, a few big names are still on their way.
AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye are expected to join the group later this week.
Their delay alleged that club commitments or travel logistics briefly held them back.
The list of players currently in camp includes goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye.
In the midfield and attack, the likes of Fisayo Bashiru and Emmanuel Oluwasegun have also reported for duty.
The coaches alleged that the full squad will be available before the final tactical walkthroughs.
The friendly matches will help determine Nigeria’s FIFA ranking and team chemistry before the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Players like Philip Otele in camp suggest that the Super Eagles are actively searching for fresh attacking solutions to improve our scoring record.
