Nigeria’s Super Eagles commence their AFCON camp as they aim for a fourth title

The Super Eagles’ training camp for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has commenced in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Coach Jose Peseiro has already selected 25 players for the tournament, which will begin in mid-January in Cote d’Ivoire.

With the exception of one player based in Nigeria, the rest of the invitees are expected to join the camp from their respective European clubs. However, Samuel Chukwueze, Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, and Sadiq Umar have been given permission to play for their clubs before joining the camp on Wednesday.

Nigeria will spend a week in the oil-rich nation to finalize their preparations for the biennial football event. The Super Eagles are placed in Group A alongside Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

Their first match is against Equatorial Guinea on January 15, followed by a game against Cote d’Ivoire four days later.

They will then face Guinea-Bissau on January 22. Despite a disappointing start to the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, Nigerian football authorities believe it would be unwise to dismiss Peseiro just weeks before a major tournament. The coach remains optimistic about the team’s chances of winning the AFCON title, although he acknowledges the challenges they will face.