The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, is preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers, with plans to establish a training camp in Uyo on September 1.
The team officials who confirmed this said the support staff will arrive in Uyo on September 1, followed by the majority of invited players shortly after.
The three-time African champions will face the Benin Republic’s Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 7, before traveling to Rwanda for their second qualifier on September 10.
However, the team is currently without a head coach, following Finidi George’s departure in June.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has yet to appoint a replacement, leading to uncertainty ahead of the qualifiers.
According to reports, Austin Eguavoen, the NFF’s technical director, will temporarily oversee the team for the upcoming matches.
The NFF is considering long-term coaching options, with Janne Andersson, former coach of Sweden, and Hervé Renard, a seasoned African football manager, being considered for the position.
Renard has a proven track record, having successfully managed Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.
Nigeria, runners-up in the previous AFCON, remains a strong contender to qualify for the tournament in Morocco and potentially win their first title since 2013.