The Super Eagles’ camp in Antalya, Turkey, opened yesterday with fifteen players as preparations begin for this month’s international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.

The national team camp officially opened on Tuesday, with coaches and team officials arriving earlier in the day at noon to put finishing touches to arrangements ahead of the players’ arrival.

Providing an update, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that 15 players had reported to camp following the late arrival of forward Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye.

He said that an advance delegation, which departed Nigeria on Monday, had already set the groundwork for a smooth camping exercise.

The group included assistant coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu, alongside medical staff and the kit manager, all tasked with ensuring that facilities and logistics were in place.

The early arrivals include midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alex Iwobi, defenders Emmanuel Fernandez, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, as well as forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Philip Otele and Collins Yira Sor.

Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye have also linked up with the squad, while midfielder Frank Onyeka completes the list of players already in camp.

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The President of Nigeria Referees Association ((NRA) Sanni Zubairu, died in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness and has since been buried in Bauchi according to Islamic rites.

The Bauchi-born Zubairu was elected president of the NRA during the 2023 delegates’ conference held in Kwara State on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Zubairu was a former FIFA referee and also served as Head of the Refereeing Unit of the Nigeria Football Federation and secretary of its Referees Committee.

The Nigeria Football Federation led tributes to the late Zubairu in a statement shared on Tuesday.

“Hon. Zubairu was a very diligent and astute worker. Subordinates, colleagues and superiors all loved him for his simplicity and uncommon humility.

He served Nigeria meritoriously on the field and in the office, working assiduously to impart knowledge and raise new generations of referees who would make Nigeria proud at home and internationally,” the General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, said.

A statement from the NRA, signed by its deputy president, Kelechi Mejuobi, said “The association is deeply pained over his demise, especially at a time when his wealth of experience and services to the referees’ body and the football family in Nigeria and beyond are greatly needed.”

Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, also commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and the NRA, describing his contributions to the development of the league as a lasting legacy for active and aspiring referees.

Former Nigerian champions, Enyimba FC and Kano Pillars FC, also led tributes from Nigerian clubs.“Alhaji Sanni Zubairu was a seasoned referee who transitioned into leadership with remarkable influence.

His immense contributions to the development of refereeing in Nigeria and his role in strengthening the football ecosystem will not be forgotten in a hurry,” Enyimba chairman and former international, Nwankwo Kanu, said.

General Manager of Kano Pillars and former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, also said, “His demise has created a huge vacuum within the Nigerian football community, where he was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to improving refereeing standards and advancing the development of match officials across the country.

“Kano Pillars FC stands in solidarity with the Nigerian football community at this difficult time and prays for strength and comfort for all those affected by this great loss.

• * Segun Odegbami

Former Nigeria international footballer ,Segun Odegbami has urged the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) to review its regulations and reinstate Senegal as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title it awarded to Morocco.

Reacting to the verdict, Odegbami while backing Senegal as the true winner of the trophy, described CAF’s overturn of the January final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”

According to Odegbami, Senegal had already been crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.

“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months later,” he said.

He added that the decision has sparked widespread outrage among fans and stakeholders, warning it could damage CAF’s credibility.

“This judgement has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” Odegbami stated.

He recalled that Senegal were officially crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience, only for the decision to be overturned later by the Appeals Committee, a ruling he labelled a “poisoned verdict.”