Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon have gathered momentum, with four new arrivals swelling the Super Eagles camp in Rabat to 14 players, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi, Stanley Nwabali, and Amas Obasogie checked in on Monday, joining an already vibrant group that includes Fulham trio Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Atalanta forward, Lookman is the reigning African Footballer of the Year and his arrival will be a confidence booster for head coach Eric Chelle.
The Eagles’ Nest now up to 14!
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 10, 2025
Ademola Lookman and Semi Ajayi have joined camp in Rabat. #SoarSuperEagles #Naija4TheWin pic.twitter.com/jArk6KyF8b
Seven more players are expected to arrive before Monday night when Nigeria’s coaching staff will kick off tactical drills ahead of Thursday’s decisive clash against Gabon.
The fixture, set for Rabat, will determine who progresses to the final African playoff round against either Cameroon or DR Congo.
Stanley Nwabali is in the Eagles’ Nest! pic.twitter.com/mzRfJUoLHR
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 10, 2025
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Calvin Bassey shuts down injury talk, eyes strong comeback for Nigeria
Meanwhile, defender Calvin Bassey has reassured fans of his fitness after limping off Fulham’s 2–0 defeat to Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who featured prominently in Fulham’s backline and was involved in several duels with Everton’s Thierno Barry, admitted to picking up a slight knock during the match—but insisted there’s no cause for alarm.
“This game we knew it was gonna be a fight. Beto, Barry, they’re fighters, they make life difficult for you so we were prepared. I got a little knock but I’m fine,” Bassey told SportyTV.
Despite his strong defensive display, goals from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane condemned Marco Silva’s men to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season.
Reflecting on Fulham’s performance, Bassey called for improvement in defensive organisation, particularly from set-pieces:
“We could have been a little bit more dynamic in the first half. We had control then we lost control. We’ve got to do better at set-pieces. We’ve conceded 16 goals, 10 of them have been from personal errors or set-pieces, we got to do better.”
Bassey’s presence will be a major boost for the Super Eagles as they chase a crucial win over Gabon. The former Ajax centre-back is Nigeria’s most valuable defender at €28 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Super Eagles in camp:
- Calvin Bassey,
- Alex Iwobi,
- Samuel Chukwueze,
- Tolu Arokodare,
- Olakunle Olusegun,
- Wilfred Ndidi,
- Moses Simon,
- William Troost-Ekong,
- Benjamin Frederick,
- Chidozie Awaziem,
- Amas Obasogie,
- Stanley Nwabali,
- Semi Ajayi, and
- Ademola Lookman.
