By Okhide Em’ya David
Sixteen Players of the Nigeria Senior Football Team, the Super Eagles, on Tuesday arrived at the Camp in Benin City, Edo State in preparation for the Friday’s epic qualifier match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mr. Philip Shaibu known for his love for the round leather game was on hand to personally receive the Team.
The Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Mr. Gernot Rohr, the Assistant Coach, Joseph Yobo as well as the Captain of the Team, Ahmed Musa also arrived with the Players at the Camp in Benin City.
The Players later domesticated their activities to the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudian Stadium, when they engaged in their first whole technical drill for the Match.
It was fun for a tiny audience of the Technical Team as the Deputy Governor of Edo state Mr. Philip Shaibu joined in the exhaustive drills to tame the visiting Stars of Sierra Leone.
The Players who stormed the Camp and participated in the drills include, Oghenekaro Etebo, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi, William Troost Ekong, Kelvin Akpoguma, and Joseph Arobo.
Others are Maduka Okoye, Ezenwa Ikechukwu, Sebastine Osigwe, Emmanuel Denis- Bonaventure, Ola Aina, Xaidu Sanusi, Tryonne Ebuehi and Kelechi Ihenacho.
The Players who are yet to arrive include, Goal Keeper Daniel Akpeji, Kenneth Umero, Victor Osimen and Samuel Chukwuezie.
Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, while speaking with Newsmen after the training blamed the late arrival of some of the Players in camp to clumsy travelling environment, occasioned by Corona Virus Pandemic worldwide.
Gernot said his team is not underrating the qualifier match with the Sierra Leone hence they had to embark on the rigorous training session to avoid any lapses, assuring Nigerians of victory.
In their remarks, Captain Ahmed Musa and defender William Ekong said they will fight to win the first leg of the qualifier.
On whether speculation about possible return of the Captain, Ahmed Musa to the European Leagues was correct, he asked that the fans should be patient.
The Edo Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu earlier receiving the Players, Technical adviser Gernot Rohr, and the assistant Coach, assured them of blissful environment, adding they were the first to have sporting encounter at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudian Stadium after major renovation.
Super Eagles complete Team.
Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands).
Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany).
Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia)
Standby: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium).
