Nigeria’s national team has ramped up preparations ahead of Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash with Rwanda, with captain William Ekong leading the charge. The team’s camp, based in Saudi Arabia, has come alive as players arrive for the crucial encounter.
Ekong, along with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Felix Agu, arrived on Monday. Agu, who plays for Werder Bremen in Germany, impressed at left back during the summer Unity Cup Tournament in London.
Also in camp is dependable forward Simon Moses, who scored a goal and provided an assist in Paris FC’s weekend league victory. Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Benjamin Fredericks, and midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have all joined the squad.
Additional arrivals include wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, and midfielder Alex Iwobi. First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was recovering from an injury scare last week, is expected to join the team on Tuesday evening.
Midfielder Christantus Uche, recently transferred to Crystal Palace from Getafe, Spain, is also expected to arrive alongside forwards Samuel Chukwueze (now with Fulham FC from AC Milan), Tolu Arokodare (now with Wolverhampton Wanderers from KRC Genk), and Cyriel Dessers (now with Panathinaikos from Rangers).
The squad is also awaiting the arrival of African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray, and Raphael Onyedika.
Nigeria’s 23-man squad will also take on South Africa in a key Matchday 8 fixture at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening, as part of their preparations for the upcoming match against Rwanda.
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