The Super Eagles have opened camp in Uyo ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash with Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
The Nigerian side is expected to step up preparations as players arrive in the Akwa Ibom State capital for the opening fixture of their qualification campaign.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Following Friday’s encounter, the Super Eagles will travel to Bissau for their second qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had announced that the bulk of the players based in Europe were expected to arrive in Uyo on Sunday, with training scheduled to begin yesterday.
Head coach Eric Chelle and members of his backroom staff, alongside other key NFF officials, arrived in Uyo over the weekend ahead of the players.
Meanwhile, Madagascar arrived in Nigeria yesterday with a 24-man squad and 10 officials for the encounter.
The Barea are hoping to make a strong start to their qualifying campaign as they target a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the most recent edition in Morocco.
Madagascar made history at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance at the tournament.
The team, coached by Corentin Martins, is currently ranked 104th in the latest FIFA rankings and will look to secure a positive result against the Super Eagles in Uyo.