Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, held a closed-door training session on Sunday as they ramped up preparations for their crucial matchday 6 Group C fixture against Zimbabwe in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Unlike previous training routines under coaches such as Gernot Rohr and José Peseiro, where journalists were occasionally granted access, new head coach Eric Chelle has enforced strict restrictions at the team’s camp in Uyo. The move aims to ensure complete focus and limit distractions ahead of Tuesday’s decisive clash.
All forms of media presence and visitors have been barred from the training sessions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining full concentration in the lead-up to the game.
Chelle Tightens Control Over Camp
Team Media Officer Promise Efoghe provided insights into the decision, stressing that Coach Eric Chelle is determined to keep the players in the right frame of mind for the task ahead.
“The Eagles are back home and have immediately begun preparations for Tuesday’s fixture against Zimbabwe. Coach Eric Chelle is not getting carried away by the win over Rwanda and has demanded absolute focus from the players leading up to the next match,” Efoghe explained.
“To this end, he has imposed strict restrictions in and around the team’s camp—no visitors, no journalists, and no unnecessary distractions.”
The Super Eagles arrived in Uyo on Saturday evening, with their opponents, Zimbabwe, touching down at Victor Attah International Airport just a few hours later.
Training Schedule and Media Access
The Nigerian squad had two private training sessions on Sunday, ensuring that tactical preparations and player drills were conducted without external interference. The team’s final training session on Monday will also remain largely restricted, with minimal access granted to journalists and media personnel.
However, in adherence to FIFA’s regulations, there will be a 15-minute media access window following the official pre-match press conference. This will be the only opportunity for reporters to capture footage of the Super Eagles before matchday.
“Sunday’s training session was completely closed off to the public. Monday’s session will also be mostly private, but the media will be allowed in for 15 minutes after the official pre-match press conference. Additionally, provisions have been made for a mixed zone interaction with players on match day,” Efoghe added.
Super Eagles Push for Momentum
Nigeria heads into this encounter seeking to build on their 2-0 victory over Rwanda—their first win in the qualifiers after a disappointing start that included three consecutive draws and a loss. The win against Rwanda has revitalized their campaign, but the Super Eagles know they cannot afford any slip-ups in their pursuit of a World Cup spot.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is still searching for their first victory in the qualifiers. The Warriors have drawn three matches and lost twice, putting them at the bottom of the group standings. Their most recent match saw them mount a dramatic comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Benin after initially trailing by two goals.
The first-leg encounter between Nigeria and Zimbabwe, played in Rwanda last November, ended in a 1-1 draw. Kelechi Iheanacho scored for the Super Eagles to salvage a point after falling behind earlier in the game.
As the standings currently stand, Nigeria sits in fourth place in Group C with six points, while Zimbabwe is at the bottom with just three points. The Warriors will be desperate to break their winless streak against Nigeria, having last defeated the Super Eagles in 1981.
With only a handful of games left in the qualifiers, the Super Eagles understand that anything short of a victory in Uyo could seriously dent their World Cup qualification hopes. The pressure is on, and Chelle’s men will have to be at their best to secure all three points on home soil.