Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has expressed concerns over the team’s disrupted training camp in Uyo ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles camp opened in Uyo last Friday, but only 22 players were present as of Wednesday afternoon, with Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye still expected to complete the squad. Atalanta’s Europa League hero Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi arrived at the team’s hotel on Wednesday.
Five other players—Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forward Paul Onuachu—landed in Uyo via a private jet on Tuesday.
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Their proposed arrival on Monday was delayed by a nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, which halted flight operations.
Ndidi, who arrived at camp last Friday alongside 15 other players, reflected on the challenges posed by the incomplete squad.
“To be honest, it has affected the preparations because normally we were supposed to start training on Saturday and we have not been together,” Ndidi told NFF TV.
“I think it has affected the team in some ways, like we’re supposed to know what we are doing and how to approach the game, but we haven’t been able to do that.
“The way we performed at the AFCON has actually raised some standards and the expectation is high. I think we have the same players and the same coach who was part of the team and we will do our best because we know these games are important.
At the 2023 AFCON, Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals after 120 minutes of football ended 1-1, a result Ndidi believes will be fresh in the minds of their opponents.
“It makes it more difficult because looking back to what we did at the AFCON it’s not going to be an easy game because, when they look back to the AFCON semi-finals, they will come for revenge, and we are expecting that.”
The Eagles are currently third in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group with two points from two matches and need to win both games to revive their campaign.
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