Getafe forward Chrisantus Uche, who recently received his maiden call-up to the Nigerian national team, and Genk striker Tolu Arokodare have yet to report to camp as the Super Eagles prepare for their highly anticipated clash with Ghana. The match, dubbed the “Jollof Derby,” is scheduled for tomorrow, but both players remain absent from the team’s base in London. Their delayed arrival has drawn attention, especially as the squad finalizes preparations for one of African football’s most iconic rivalries.

According to a statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Uche and Arokodare are still being awaited at the Doubletree By Hilton Hotel in London, where the team is lodged. Meanwhile, head coach Eric Chelle has a healthy pool of options, including as many as 10 players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), who are already in camp and available for selection. This provides the coaching staff with flexibility as they look to field a competitive side for the high-stakes encounter.

The rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana spans over seven decades, with fierce contests and historic moments defining their footballing relationship. In their most recent meeting, Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory over Ghana in a friendly played in Morocco in March 2024. This win came as a measure of redemption after the Ghanaians edged out Nigeria in a 2022 World Cup qualifying tie, denying the Super Eagles a place in Qatar. Tomorrow’s game carries both sporting and symbolic weight, as both teams seek to assert dominance in one of the continent’s most storied football matchups.