June 06, (THEWILL) – With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers underway, the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, have their full 23-man squad in camp ahead of their crucial match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
The team, under manager, Finidi George, had been awaiting the arrival of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who plays for Italian club Udinese, due to a domestic flight disruption caused by an organised labour strike on Monday. The strike’s suspension on Tuesday, allowed Okoye to join his teammates in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Super Eagles’ official X account confirmed Okoye’s arrival, stating “Update: All 23 players are now in camp #soarsupereagles.”
Nigeria, currently third in Group C with two points from two matches, desperately needs a win against South Africa to revive their World Cup qualifying campaign. The match against Bafana Bafana is scheduled for Friday, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Following this crucial fixture, the Super Eagles will travel to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to face the Benin Republic on Monday, June 10, a team managed by former Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr. With the full squad assembled, the team can now focus on preparations for these pivotal World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles’ performances in these matches will have a significant impact on their chances of booking a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
