Fans rage as Osimhen, Simon, Chukwueze delay AFCON camp arrival

Four days into the Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo, Egypt, and exactly four days to the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon remain the only three players yet to link up with the rest of the squad, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria’s camp opened in Cairo on Sunday, with 25 players present at the team’s Renaissance Hotel base as of Tuesday morning.

The available players also featured in a pre-tournament friendly against Egypt on Tuesday evening. They had two training sessions—on Monday evening and Tuesday morning—before the friendly.

According to a camp update provided by Super Eagles Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, the trio is expected to arrive soon.

While the reasons for their late arrival were not explained, it is understood that Osimhen and Simon are expected to join the team directly in Morocco.

Nigeria are scheduled to depart Cairo for Fez, their tournament base in Morocco, aboard a chartered flight on Thursday. The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Tanzania next Tuesday.

The delay in the arrival of the trio, along with that of Paul Onuachu—who joined the camp on Monday—has sparked debate among fans on social media.

One fan on X, Seun Durojaiye, raised concerns under a camp update post, writing, “Thought all players should have arrived by now, considering we would be having a friendly against Egypt today, being Tuesday.”

Another fan queried, “Is it becoming a pattern for some key players to arrive late?”

Kamil Adegboyega also commented, “Osimhen played in Turkey on Saturday, Ndidi played on Sunday in the same league. Ndidi has arrived in camp while Osimhen hasn’t.”

On Instagram, a fan identified as Apex said, “I thought Chukwueze was on the plane with Iwobi and Bassey.”

“Iwobi and Bassey are in the same club with Chukwueze. Our players need discipline,” another fan added.

However, a Super Eagles fan account urged patience over the players’ delayed arrival.

“Victor Osimhen shouldn’t be singled out or blamed. He has suffered several injuries this year while playing for the national team and was sidelined for weeks on several occasions—that’s sacrifice for his country,” the post read.

“It’s understandable that other players from the same league have arrived. Did you also notice that Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi joined the squad without Chukwueze? They even played together for Fulham against Crystal Palace. Patience and understanding are key—support your players through these challenges.”

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on December 23, before taking on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

Runners-up at the last AFCON following a 2–1 defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria will be targeting a fourth continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced the launch of the NAIJA 4 THE WIN campaign as the Super Eagles return to continental action at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, reaffirming their commitment to reclaiming the prestigious title for the nation.