World Cup qualifiers: Cardiff City, Kasimpasa, Real Sociedad stars land in Nigeria as Super Eagles camp opens in Uyo

The Super Eagles camp in Uyo is officially open, setting the stage for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Lesotho, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Head coach Jose Peseiro, accompanied by his foreign assistants Maykel Moreira, Acacio Santos, and Vitor Hugo, touched down in Uyo on Sunday afternoon.

The 23 selected players are slated to start arriving at the camp today, with nine expected on Monday and the remainder joining their colleagues on Tuesday.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo is the chosen battleground for Thursday’s clash against Leslie Notsi’s Lesotho, followed by a match against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium in Butare three days later.

Three Super Eagles Stars Boost Defensive and Attacking Arsenal

In a significant development, key players Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, and Sadiq Umar have arrived at the Super Eagles camp.

Kasimpasa defender Omeruo, Cardiff City full-back Collins, and Real Sociedad striker Sadiq were welcomed by Sir John Etim on behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Sir John Etim, the Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee, expressed warm wishes and optimism regarding the upcoming fixtures.

Twenty more players are expected in camp, as head coach Jose Peseiro had invited 23 players for Nigeria’s qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

However, Boavista defender Bruno Onyemaechi’s availability for the games is in doubt after he picked up a knock during his side’s 3-1 defeat at home to Farense on Sunday.

Lesotho Delegation En Route to Uyo

Meanwhile, the Lesotho delegation is scheduled to arrive in Lagos tonight (Monday) aboard a Kenyan Airways flight.

The Nigeria Football Federation announced that the team will spend the night in Lagos before flying to Uyo tomorrow.

Accommodations for players and officials will be arranged at the Ibom Hotel and Resorts.

Match officials, led by Tunisian referees, are expected to land in Uyo tomorrow before Thursday’s clash.

After Thursday’s encounter, the Super Eagles will embark on a journey to Kigali, Rwanda, to face Zimbabwe on Sunday in the second fixture of this international window.