Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Seychelles and the friendly match against the Pharaohs of Egypt, all the 23 players invited by the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, are now in camp for the national assignment in Asaba.
As at Monday 18th March, 2019 only seven players were on the ground when the camp officially opened in Asaba. But as at today 20th March, 2019 officials confirmed that all the players are now in and set for action.
Seven players who were first to arrived at the camp in Asaba on Monday 18th March, 2019 were Valentine Ozornwafor, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ikouwen Udoh, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo and Semi Ajayi.
The next set of players arrived on Tuesday 19th March, 2019, which include vice-captain Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong. The number then increased as others joined their colleagues in camp before the confirmed arrival of the last set. The last sets of arrivals were John Ogu, Etebo Ogenekaro, Francis Uzoho, Victor Osimhen and Henry Onyekuru.
The first training session of the Super Eagles took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Tuesday, 19th March, 2019.
Delegates for the Seychelles National team also known as the Pirates have been reported to have landed in Nigeria ahead of the Friday’s match against the Super Eagles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The match between the Pirates of Seychelles and the Super Eagles of Nigeria can be meaningfully referred to as a formality match as the result of the match have nothing to do with both teams qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles of Nigeria have already secured their place in the finals and will be in the pot for the draw on Friday, April 12 at CAF’s headquarters in Cairo, while the Pirates were long eliminated from the qualification,
A 29-member delegation of the Pirates arrived Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight on Tuesday afternoon, and would be flown to Asaba on Wednesday.
The Eagles are also preparing for a prestige friendly game against the Pharaohs of Egypt, who are seven-time champions and record winners of the continent’s most prestigious football diadem. This match comes up on Tuesday next week, also at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba in preparation for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
