Super Eagles Open Rabat Camp Ahead of 2026 World Cup Playoffs Clash with Gabon

The Super Eagles have officially commenced camping in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa play-off semi-final against Gabon. Players and officials began arriving at the team’s base on Sunday.

According to team media officer Promise Efoghe, the camp opened at the Rive Hotel in the Moroccan capital with eight players already settled in, while two more joined later that night.

Head coach Eric Chelle and his technical staff are already on the ground, overseeing arrivals from clubs across Europe and beyond.

By Sunday evening, the early arrivals included Fulham trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze, alongside Wilfred Ndidi, Tolu Arokodare, Moses Simon, Olakunle Olusegun, and captain William Troost-Ekong. Efoghe confirmed that Benjamin Frederick and Chidozie Awaziem were expected to join later that night.

The team will begin full training sessions ahead of Thursday’s semi-final clash against Gabon at the 22,000-capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat.

Chelle’s 24-man squad features the return of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke. Okoye, who has regained his starting spot in Serie A after a strong run of form, makes his first national team appearance since June. Ejuke also returns to the fold for the first time since 2021, following an impressive spell in La Liga.

Nigeria will face Gabon in one semi-final, while Cameroon meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other at Rabat’s El-Barid Stadium. Winners of both fixtures will battle on November 16 for a spot in the inter-confederation play-offs — the final hurdle toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

The Super Eagles, who last featured at the global showpiece in 2018, are determined to make a return after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.