AFCON Qualifiers: Lookman, Ekong, and Five More Join Uyo Camp for Benin and Rwanda Matches

Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong, along with five other players, have arrived at the Uyo camp as the AFCON qualifiers approach, with key matches against Benin and Rwanda on the horizon.

At 10 am on Monday, seven players arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Uyo for Nigeria’s qualifying matches of Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.

Reported players consist of William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Olisa Ndah,Taiwo Awoniyi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

On Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for their initial Group D fixture, Nigeria is poised to engage Benin Republic with kick-off set for 5 pm.

The Confederation of African Football will organize the 2025 AFCON qualification matches, which will determine the teams participating in Morocco’s tournament for Africa’s 35th edition men’s football championship.

Starting from March 21 to 26, the preliminary round of the qualification has initiated and will culminate with group stage games held during September, October as well as November in the year 2024.

The final tournament will consist of 24 teams, with Morocco being the automatic hosts and qualifier.

As per the Nigeria Football Federation’s announcement, Super Eagles players are required to arrive at their Uyo camp today, which is Monday.

Following their second-place finish at the 2024 AFCON held in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Nigeria sets forth on a new expedition to another grand event scheduled for December 21, 2025, until January 18, 2026: Morocco.

On Saturday, September 7th, Nigeria will have their inaugural match against Benin Republic. This will be followed by a game in Kigali three days afterwards versus Rwanda.

On Tuesday of last week, the Nigeria Football Federation disclosed a 23-member team for those two games.

For the 2025 AFCON qualifying matches, Augustine Eguavoen – who took over as interim manager of the Super Eagles after Finidi George resigned – has chosen Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede to aid him.

The Super Eagles are eager to seek retribution for their loss of 2-1 against Benin Republic on June 10 during the fourth round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.