Two Super Eagles stars join Eguavoen in Abidjan as camp opens with AFCON spot in focus vs Benin

Two Super Eagles stars have arrived in Abidjan on Monday morning as Nigeria begin preparation for their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic, Soccernet.ng reports.

The two early arrivals, defender Victor Collins from Nasarawa United and New England Revolution’s midfielder Alhassan Yusuf were received by the Super Eagles coaching staff. 

Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, fresh off a medical leave in Belgium, led his backroom staff to the Ivorian capital on Sunday. Eguavoen and his lieutenants were tasked with setting up camp well in advance of Thursday’s high-stakes fixture.

Victor Collins and Alhassan Yusuf, are expected to be joined by the rest of the squad by Monday, with training sessions slated to begin on Tuesday.

Collins, the sole home-based player in the 23-man squad, received his first call-up for these qualifiers, as Eguavoen looks to add depth to the Super Eagles’ defence.

Nigeria enter Thursday’s fixture with a clear objective: secure at least a draw to guarantee their place at the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Currently leading Group D with ten points, the Super Eagles need just one point to clinch their qualification spot, which would place them beyond the reach of final-day opponents Rwanda.

Following the Benin game, the Super Eagles will return to Nigeria via a chartered flight to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Super Eagles will, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, host Rwanda on November 18 in the final match of the AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign.