15 Eagles Begin Training In Belgium

The Super Eagles on Monday commenced training for the two international friendlies in Belgium, with 15 players at the R. Battice FC training ground on Monday evening.

England–based midfielder John Mikel Obi led goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, midfielders Sylvester Igbonu, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ogenyi Onazi and Obiora Nwankwo and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike and Alex Iwobi at training on Monday evening.

Eagles’ Team administrator Enebi Achor informed thenff.com that the team will train twice on Tuesday (10am and 4pm) at the same venue.

Defender Godfrey Oboabona is also having visa issues in Turkey, as his international passport is yet to be released by the Belgian Embassy in that country.

Also, Super Eagles’ officials on ground may need to secure the services of a temporary physiotherapist for massage and medical matters if by Tuesday, the team’s medical crew (part of the delegation that is held up in Abuja) is not issued visas to join the group in Belgium.

Six home-based professionals are in the delegation yet to be issued visas in Abuja. These are goalkeepers Femi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defender Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo, midfielder Paul Onobi and forward Prince Aggrey.

The Super Eagles take on the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise, Liege on Thursday before playing the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Dendermonde on Sunday.

Full House As Eagles Gear Up For Congo Clash…,Keshi Happy With Players Fitness

Skipper Vincent Enyeama of Lille Metropole of France and Villareal of Spain Ikechukwu Uche were the last players to hit the Super Eagles Bolton White Apartment abode ahead of the crucial Nations Cup qualifier against Congo next Saturday in Point Noire.

The two players effectively missed out in the day’s evening and only training session but should be available for Wednesday’s session that will again be conducted by Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. Before then all invited players like Elderson Echejile, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, John Mikel Obi, Austin Ejide, Raheem Lawal, Godfrey Oboabona, Hope Akpan, Omatsone Aluko, Sunday Emmanuel and Aaron Samuel and Ogenyi Onazi all had lunch with the technical crew before the team set out for the Goal Project site of the National Stadium for the day’s business.

Super Eagles second training session on Tuesday at the Abuja National Stadium, photo credit Ben Alaiya

The training proper lasted from 4-6pm with Keshi taking charge of affairs. Home based stars, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Christian Osuaguna Ighodalo, Friday Edjidegborie, Solomon Kwambe, Kingsley Sokari, Emem Eduok and Gbolahan Salami were all in full flight during the session.

After some tactical sessions, Keshi chose to play the probables against the possibles to the delight of a sizeable number of fans at the arena. Aaron Samuel was the star of the possibles as he scored a classic goal against Agbim in goal for the probables but goals from Emmanuel ‘Ogbunigwe’ Emenike and Mikel Obi eclipsed his efforts before Keshi called a close to the session. Preparations for the game against Congo continues Wednesday in Abuja with Keshi saying he was totally satisfied with the fitness level of his players and hope it continues like that till match day.

Eagles Camp Bubbles, As Mikel, Onazi, Six Others Arrive

Eagles Camp Bubble, As Mikel, Onazi, Six Others Arrive

…Keshi Replaces Enyeama With Obiazor

Lunch time in Calabar for the Super Eagles technical crew was a delight on Tuesday, as camp suddenly upped to 17, with more players expected before training in the evening after only nine players trained in the morning training session.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistants were grinning from ear to ear as Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Juwon Oshaniwa, Sone Aluko, John Mikel Obi and standin captain Austin Ejide arrive on time to have lunch with the rest of the team.

Mikel’s entrance was particularly hilarious as he came in with hand gloves and asked Coach Keshi if he will need some with the fear of the Ebola disease in mind. “Coach I have up to four hand gloves and if you don’t mind, I can hand one pair to you”, he said jokingly with the rest of the team reeling with laughter.

The spirit in camp in camp is very buoyant with the arrival of the super stars and Keshi says he expects the best from the players on Saturday in the game against Congo.

The national team Head Coach also announced that he has decided to replace Vincent Enyeama, who is absent for personal reasons with Elkanemi of Maiduguri first choice keeper, David Obiazor. “We have been monitoring the Nigerian league and we see that the keeper of Elkanemi is a talent, that is why we want to give him a trial. We will see how it turns out when he arrives camp”, Keshi said after lunch on Tuesday.

Imoke, Ikpeme So Sure Of Eagles

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, says he believes that the Super Eagles will come out tops against Congo, despite the short time the team had to prepare for the Morocco 2015 Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar, the state capital.

Imoke spoke through Youth and Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe, who also promised that the fans in Calabar will turn out enmasse on Saturday to cheer the national team to victory. Ugbe, added that he was happy with the quick response of the players to national call and was sure that the team will excel.

Earlier, NFF Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who has been pulling the strings here to ensure the comfortability of the national team, said he was impressed by the showing of the players in the morning training session. Dr Ikpeme, who defied the early morning downpour in Calabar to join in the morning training session, said he will ensure that all that the team needs for a victory against Congo are provided, in conjunction with the Cross River state government.

“I am a son of the soil and we have had a very cordial working relationship with the government and people of Cross River state. That should ensure that we come out tops on Saturday because all of us in the team and government are on the same page”.

Nigeria Invites Enyeama, 22 Others For Red Devils, Bafana…

Cup holders Nigeria have called up 23 players, including ace goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, for next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

The list released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday also included defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Efe Ambrose, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and John Mike Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike.

France –based Elderson Echiejile, who missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup as a result of injury, Nosa Igiebor who missed the final cut for Brazil and Chinedu Obasi who was not considered for the tournament, are all back for September’s double –header.

Onazi, the midfield powerhouse who suffered a terrible injury in the Round of 16 defeat by France, is now fully recovered, but Michael Babatunde, who was stretchered out against Argentina after a hand injury, is left out.

Home –based quartet Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kunle Odunlami and Gbolahan Salami who were part of Nigeria’s third place finish at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town earlier in the year, also have opportunity to return to Cape of Good Hope and shine. They are joined by Enugu Rangers’ marksman Christian Osaguona as the lot from the domestic League.

Nigeria play Congo’s Red Devils – restored to the race after conquerors Rwanda were found guilty of using an ineligible player – in Calabar on September 6, before flying to Cape Town to take on the Bafana Bafana on September 10.

Nigeria Super Eagles starting 11 With Babatunde Micheal at the 2014 World Cup photo credit Reuters

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Joel Obi (Inter Milan, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Chinedu Obasi (Schalke 04, Germany); Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen FC, Netherlands); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AS Varese 1910, Italy); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Christian Osaguona (Enugu Rangers)

Maigari orders full service for Balogun…NFF proud of Eagles’ outing against Mexico,

Maigari orders full service for Balogun

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has instructed the medical doctor of Super Eagles, Dr. Ibrahim Gyaran, to ensure full attention and necessary service is provided for injured Germany-based right back Leon Balogun.

Balogun fell hard while challenging for a high ball, after coming in to replace Efe Ambrose in the second half of Wednesday’s international friendly clash with Mexico at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

The fair-skinned stopper, a virtual unknown in Nigeria’s football firmament before being called up by Coach Stephen Keshi in place of
injured skipper Joseph Yobo, showed excellent spirit in flying to America at short notice, and was brilliant in the two training
sessions and the few minutes he starred against the El Tri.

“The NFF is pleased with the attitude, general conduct and potential of the young defender Leon Balogun. It is unfortunate that he got
injured when he went for that ball.

“All the same, I have instructed the Team Doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, to keep in contact with the player and ensure that he is able to provide for the boy, or promptly advise the NFF, towards his full recovery. We are happy that afterall, he will not be needing any surgery on the leg.

“A player of Balogun’s attitude, discipline and dedication is an asset to any team in the world,” Maigari said at the weekend.

The Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany defender left Atlanta in crutches, from the impact of the incident, but retained his high spirit of
making Nigeria’s squad to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

“I have been told that this could take a few weeks, but definitely my focus remains making the squad to the World Cup. I believe I will be fine,” Balogun said at the team’s W. Buckhead Hotel on his way to the airport on Thursday.

Maigari has also promised to personally visit the player in Germany to spur his recovery.

“I will find time to go and see the boy in Germany. He has shown brilliant spirit and we are keen on his recovery and general
development.”

NFF proud of Eagles’ outing against Mexico

The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed satisfaction with the Super Eagles’ performance in the international friendly against Mexico at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, USA on Wednesday.

“The match ended scoreless but I can tell you that the NFF is happy with the output of the players and it was well worth the effort to
arrange this game,” NFF President Aminu Maigari said in Atlanta, minutes after the game that ended 0-0 but saw the nearly 70,000 crowd applaud both teams into the dressing room.

Maigari was especially delighted with the performance of new boys Michael Uchebo, Leon Balogun, Imoh Ezekiel and Ramon Azeez in the prestige encounter.

“The new players did not show any stage fright, and the old guard provided them with the confidence necessary to stand up to the
Mexicans. We must remember that Mexico is one of the strongest teams in the world, and our ability to stand up to them on a neutral soil means we are gradually getting into the form for the FIFA World Cup finals,” Maigari added.

The Eagles next play Scotland in London on May 28 before flying to Philadephia for the first of two friendly matches in America, with the second coming up in Jacksonville few days to the team’s departure to the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

In Brazil, the Super Eagles will stay at the Vitoria Hotel Concept in Campinas, 70 minutes’ drive from Sao Paulo International Airport, and play Iran in Curitiba on June 16, Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cuiaba on June 21 and Argentina in Porto Alegre on June 25 – exactly 20 years to the day Nigeria and Argentina first squared up at the biggest stage, in Boston, United States of America.

Foreign based Super players Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Okwuosa Say No Stopping Eagles

Foreign based Super players Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Okwuosa Say No Stopping Eagles

Super Eagles players abroad and in South Africa have been sending messages of goodwill to their mates taking part in the ongoing CHAN African championship with most of them declaring that they believe there will be no stopping the Nigerian side from winning the trophy at stake.

Celtic of Scotland defender, Efe Ambrose has been calling every other day to check on the welfare of his mates from team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor. “We have players who are experienced enough to win the championship and by God’s Grace they will”, he said.

Lazio midfield ace, Ogenyi Onazi called from Italy to wish Coach Stephen Keshi happy birthday and his teammates goodluck in their game against Morocco on Saturday. “At this point there is no stopping our team from winning the championship again”, he declared. Onazi said he has been in constant touch with some of the players in the team and he was certain that they have the right frame of mind to win the tournament.

Central defender, James Okwuosa, who plies his trade in South Africa with Chippa United, physically came to the Super Eagles Garden Court hotel abode, the third time he was doing so on Thursday morning. “I have come to see my friends and teammates and also to wish our lovely coach, Stephen Keshi, a happy birthday”, he said on Thursday morning. I also believe the team has crossed its biggest hurdle and by the end of the tournament Nigerians will surely smile”, he said.

Midfielder John Ogu, also called all the way from Portugal where he stars for Academica De Coumbria on Thursday. “We are so happy with what our mates are doing there in South Africa, they are really making us proud and help to tell them that we are backing them all the way to winning the trophy. There is no stopping Nigerian football again, we have come to stay at the very top with Coach Keshi. Happy birthday to the Big Boss”, he said excitedly.