The Super Eagles have arrived in Polokwane, South Africa, as preparations intensify ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Head coach Eric Chelle and his staff settled into The Ranch Hotel early Monday, with players flying in from their club bases across Europe and Asia via Johannesburg.
Training begins Tuesday morning at the nearby Peter Mokaba Stadium, the same venue for Friday’s decisive Group C clash.
Injury clouds over Super Eagles defence
While Chelle will draw encouragement from the blistering form of several attacking stars, the injury report from Europe offers less comfort.
Felix Agu, who was set to deputise at right-back following Bright Osayi-Samuel’s withdrawal, limped off for Werder Bremen at the weekend and is now ruled out of Nigeria’s games against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Werder Bremen revealed on Monday that the former Germany youth international is set to miss months of competitive action following results of scan on an ankle injury.
Nigeria’s first-choice right-back Ola Aina is currently out until December due to an injury cupped during the last international break.
Elsewhere, Wilfred Ndidi, just returning from a lengthy layoff, endured a forgettable outing for Galatasaray, gifting away possession that led to their equaliser in the Istanbul derby. The Leicester City midfielder remains under close observation as the medical team assesses his match readiness.
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Forward line in red-hot form
Nigeria’s attacking department, however, looks lethal. Victor Osimhen continues to find rhythm following his injury return, having netted the winner against Liverpool in midweek Champions League action.
The former Napoli striker also featured prominently as Galatasaray played out a thrilling 1-1 draw with Besiktas.
New invitee Akor Adams also made headlines in Spain, scoring Sevilla’s fourth in their emphatic 4-1 win over Barcelona, a result that snapped the Catalans’ 15-game unbeaten run. Chidera Ejuke provided the assist for Adams.
Discipline becomes a tactical headache
Chelle’s biggest worry may yet be the disciplinary tightrope.
No fewer than 11 players, including Ajayi, Bassey, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman, and Nwabali, go into the match carrying yellow cards. Another booking would see them miss next week’s final group fixture against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C with 11 points, three behind leaders Benin and South Africa.
However, their qualification hopes were handed a small boost after CAF overturned South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho, ruling the Bafana Bafana had fielded an ineligible player. The decision means the match is recorded as a 3-0 defeat for South Africa, a twist that could yet tilt the group in Nigeria’s favour.
For Chelle, this week’s camp in Polokwane is about finding balance between confidence and caution as the Super Eagles chase a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.