![Bassey and Finidi](https://b.blackcampus.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG-20240606-WA0000.jpg)
Bassey and Finidi during the AFCON tournament in Cote d' Ivoire. Bassey and Finidi during the AFCON tournament in Cote d' Ivoire. | Credit: NFF
The atmosphere in the camp of the African vice champions Nigeria has become more lively as five players who were initially stranded in different parts of the country due to a nationwide strike arrived in Uyo on Tuesday morning.
Defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Calvin Bassey, along with midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forward Paul Onuachu, landed at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo just after noon. They arrived aboard a private jet arranged by the Nigeria Football Federation and were swiftly transported to the team’s Ibom Hotel and Resorts to join their teammates for lunch.
The arrival of these five players brought the total number of players in camp to 20, just three days before their Day 3 qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the Akwa Ibom State capital.
This match is a rematch of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations first semi-final, which saw the Super Eagles triumph 4-2 after a penalty shootout at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
Three-time African champions Nigeria, who have reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup three times, missed out on the last tournament in Qatar. After a sluggish start to the qualifiers, they need all three points from this match to stay in strong contention for the only ticket from Group C as the campaign continues.
Currently, Rwanda leads the group with four points after two matchdays, followed by South Africa with three and Nigeria with two.
The 10-match series will conclude in October next year. The winners of the nine groups will qualify automatically for the finals in Canada, USA, and Mexico. The best four second-placed teams across all groups will compete in a CAF Play-off Tournament, with the winner advancing to a FIFA Play-off Tournament for another slot.
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