Super Eagles camp opens in Abu Dhabi as AFCON 2023 preparation hits top gear

Nigeria are targeting a fourth AFCON trophy in Ivory Coast and will need to up their game to outclass the best teams on the continent

The Super Eagles training camp has opened in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations begin, Soccernet.ng reports.

The camp doors were flung open on Tuesday, January 2, eleven days before the kick-off of the 34th edition of the continental championships in Ivory Coast.

A delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation officials, as well as Jose Peseiro and his technical assistants, are already in camp.

Captain Ahmed Musa, Turkey-based defender Kenneth Omeruo, and Enyimba goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo are expected to be among the first to arrive at the camp as they depart for the United Arab Emirates from Abuja.

Other players, like Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface, who were on vacation in the country, will also head to the team camp from Nigeria.

Fulham star Alex Iwobi revealed via his Instagram that he was on his way to Abu Dhabi along with club teammate Calvin Bassey, Southampton playmaker Joe Aribo, Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, and Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina.

Winger Samuel Chukwueze, following the NFF’s permission, will arrive in camp later than the others after he featured in AC Milan’s Coppa Italia win over Cagliari on Tuesday night.

While there are injury concerns around the Leicester City duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho, coach Jose Peseiro will look to welcome the 25 players he named for the training camp.

The Super Eagles are expected to undergo intensive one-week training in Abu Dhabi before they return to Nigeria on Tuesday, 9th January, en route to the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

Three-time AFCON kings, Nigeria’s quest for a fourth continental title will begin with a meeting with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January, in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire (18th January) and Guinea-Bissau (22nd January).