Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan and Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
With the arrival of the duo, the number of players in camp has increased to 19.
The Eagles are in Abu Dhabi for a one-week training camp, which will end next Tuesday. They are due to land in Lagos on the same day, before continuing on to Abidjan on Wednesday, January 10.
According to the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, the preparations for the AFCON event, which will take place from January 13 to February 11, began on Wednesday evening.
“Training will begin tonight (Wednesday).” Please keep in mind that we are currently in a closed camp and that information will be scarce until January 6. “Please bear with us as we ramp up our preparations for a continent-conquering AFCON campaign,” Raji added.
William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Francis Uzoho, Umar Sadiq, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Alhassan Yusuf are still expected in camp.
Goalkeepers Olorunleke Ojo and Stanley Nwabali are in camp, as are defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemachi, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina, and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, and Joe Aribo are among the midfielders already in Abu Dhabi, while Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukuwze, and Victor Boniface are among the attackers.
Before the 2023 AFCON, the Eagles are expected to play two pre-tournament friendlies against Burkina Faso and Cape Verde.
Nigeria, which won the AFCON in 1980, 1994, and 2013, is aiming for a fourth title in Ivory Coast, where it will compete in Group A with the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.
Their first game will be against Equatorial Guinea on January 14 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium, followed by a match against hosts Ivory Coast on January 18, and a match against Guinea Bissau on January 22.