Eagles intensify training behind closed doors
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has demanded maximum concentration from the Super Eagles players, as they resumed training on Sunday in Uyo behind closed doors ahead of their next game in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series against Zimbabwe, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
After their 2-0 win over Rwanda last Friday, the team flew to Uyo directly from Kigali via a chartered Valujet flight and settled in for their first session on Sunday.
As communicated by the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, the Franco-Malian coach isn’t carried away by the win over Rwanda and has restricted access to journalists and visitors alike in the team’s camp ahead of the game.
“Sunday’s training is closed. Monday’s session will be opened for the mandatory 15 minutes and this will be shortly after the official press conference,” Efoghe announced.
“Provisions will be made for mixed zone interaction with the players on match day.”
The coach has also stressed the importance of the next game against the Zimbabweans who held Nigeria to a goalless draw in the first leg.
“We need to be ready for the next game. I prefer to focus on my team rather than discussing weaknesses. My priority is analysing and improving our own play,” Chelle said following Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday.
Chelle and his team will have two full sessions before their game against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
The Zimbabweans also had their first session on Sunday at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Thanks to the win over Rwanda, Nigeria’s hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico has been revived.
Another win against Zimbabwe will further boost their chances as they trail South Africa, the Benin Republic and Rwanda in the group.
Nigeria are fourth in Group C of the qualifying series with six points after five matches, four points adrift of leaders South Africa who occupy the automatic qualifying spot.
The South Africans will also battle against the Benin Republic in Abidjan while Nigeria face off with Zimbabwe.
