Chijioke Gabriel
The Super Eagles of Nigeria touched down in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Sunday evening to a rousing reception from officials and members of the Nigerian community, as preparations intensify for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Tope Ajayi, alongside the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Sir Adeyinka Adeboye, led a delegation of top government and sports officials to welcome the team.
The ValueJet Airline chartered flight conveying the delegation landed at Bloemfontein Airport at 6:25 p.m. local time, after a three-and-a-half-hour trip from Luanda, Angola, where it had stopped to refuel following an earlier departure from Uyo.
Among the welcoming party were officials of the National Sports Commission — Alhaji Salihu Abubakar, Barr. Musa Amadu, Dr. Kehinde Ajayi, Mr. Ebidowei Owiefie, and Mr. Seyi Johnson — as well as a large turnout of Nigerians in South Africa. Led by their community president, Mr. Smart Nwobi, they added colour to the arrival with traditional attire, music, and dance.
The delegation was led by NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and included Hon. Kabiru Amadu, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports; NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; former Super Eagles captains Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba; and other NFF board members, management staff, stakeholders, and media representatives.
A total of 22 players and the coaching crew made the trip, with striker Victor Osimhen the only notable absentee after sustaining an injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday.
The Eagles are scheduled to hold their official training session at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein at 6:00 p.m. on Monday (5:00 p.m. Nigerian time), as they fine-tune strategies for their crucial qualifier.