World Cup qualifiers: Troost-Ekong leads two other early birds as Super Eagles camp opens in Uyo (WATCH)

Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying camp officially opened on Monday in Uyo with Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong among the first players to report, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Al Kholood defender was joined by Tanzania-based goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and Olympiacos full-back Bruno Onyemaechi.

The trio arrived ahead of this month’s decisive fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa, with the remainder of the 23-man squad expected later in the day.

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Several players could be late due to ongoing transfer dealings.

Samuel Chukwueze is on the verge of leaving AC Milan for Fulham, Tolu Arokodare is close to sealing a move from Genk to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Getafe forward Christantus Uche is finalising a switch to Crystal Palace.

Still awaited are Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, and Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers, among several others. 

Nigeria’s base will be the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, where they take on Rwanda on 6 September. Osimhen scored both goals in a 2-0 win when the sides last met in March, and his return is expected to provide a vital lift for a team under pressure.

The Super Eagles trail group leaders South Africa by six points after six matches, sitting fourth in Group C with just seven points. Rwanda and Benin have eight points apiece, leaving qualification finely balanced. With only four games left, Nigeria cannot afford further setbacks.

After facing Rwanda, the team will fly to Bloemfontein for a crunch tie against South Africa on 8 September.

The qualifiers will then conclude in October with trips to Lesotho and a home tie against Benin Republic.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing a playoff to Ghana, a failure that still lingers over the squad.

This month’s matches will define their path to the 2026 tournament.

Soccer FULL LIST: 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA & SOUTH AFRICA:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece).

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium).

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain).

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).