The Super Eagles are boosted ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, with forwards Ademola Lookman and Cyriel Dessers joining the national team’s camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed Wednesday, that 18 players are already in camp, with five more players expected to arrive soon.
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign resumes Saturday, September 6, against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and three days later the squad travels to Bloemfontein for a tough game against South Africa. With only the group winner guaranteeing automatic qualification for the World Cup, and the Super Eagles currently third in Group C with two points behind both Rwanda and South Africa who have four points a-piece, these four points are crucial.
Lookman comes in fresh off an outstanding season with Atalanta where he was instrumental in the team’s UEFA Europa League glory, while providing a hat-trick in the final. He was named the 2024 African Footballer of the Year for his new club, securing vital contributions, and is hailed as a player for both club and country. The 26-year-old winger is set to bring creativity, pace and finishing touch to the Super Eagles attack.
Dessers arrives fresh from signing a permanent deal with Panathinaikos after his scoring exploits with Rangers over two seasons’ which included 50-plus goals as the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership. The 30-year-old striker noted in an interview his burning desire to add trophies to his career, and will be looking to kick-start his goal scoring efforts with Nigeria in these crucial qualifiers.
The camp already includes key players such as captain William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina. Others include Bright Osayi-Samuel, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Felix Agu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka, Chidozie Awaziem and Super Eagles goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye and Benjamin Fredericks. Other arrivals include talisman Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze who will all check in before the weekend.
Coach Éric Chelle and his technical staff have commenced technical and tactical training and set-piece preparations as they prepare for the double-header. Now with the addition of Lookman and Dessers to the squad, Chelle has the opportunity to have them in the attack alongside Osimhen and shifts in formations to accommodate the opponent.
The Super Eagles roll into this round of qualifying matches with the pressure to deliver maximum points to help sustain their qualification hopes. The presence of the in-form players from Europe’s biggest leagues has lifted optimism in camp and is viewed as being a strong response on the pitch, with national pride and World Cup success at stake. The focus now shifts to winning both games and putting Nigeria firmly back on track for qualification.