The Super Eagles’ camp in Rabat, Morocco came alive on a different level this Tuesday, as the team marked the birthday of their coach, Eric Sekou Chelle, a few hours after they began their training sessions ahead of Thursday’s match against Gabon with only 18 players in attendance.
Sports247 gathered that, although the number of players in camp rose to 21 on Tuesday morning, only 18 from the roster of 24 invitees for the 2026 World Cup plays-offs had arrived by Monday evening in Rabat.
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While three other players were expected that same evening to join the team’s camp at Rive Hotel in the heart of Rabat, Chelle decided to go ahead with his training programme without them.
Consequently, only 18 players were available at Institut Royal de Formation des Cadres in Rabat as Chelle set in motion his plan ahead of Thursday’s clash with Gabon, who have been buoyed up to this stage in the qualifiers by heroics from their iconic striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The former Arsenal of England hitman, who now plays for Olympique Marseille of France, is expected to lead Gabon’s assault on the Nigerian goalmouth, as The Panthers seek their first ever qualification for the Mundial.
Another potent threat in the Gabonese squad is Victor Osimhen’s teammate at Galatasaray of Turkey, Mario Lemina, who has been touted with a likely move to central Europe in the winter transfer window.
The Nigerian squad, though, would be boosted further with an urge to commemorate Chelle’s birthday in grand style, as the Franco-Malian tactician marked his 48th year on earth just two days before the Battle of Rabat
