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.

Rousing Welcome For Eagles In Brazil…Minister, NFF Lead Reception…

NFF Logo

…Capinas Residents Turn Out Enmasse …American Airlines Give Team Special Treat

The Super Eagles arrived Sao Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday night at about 10:40pm to a rousing welcome from Miami, United States, where they equally got a rousing send forth from staff of American Airlines, which flew the team to Brazil.

The staffers were brandishing various posters wishing the Eagles goodluck and were led by their station Manager, who also ensured that the team had easy immigration passage to the airline. It was a very emotional scene for the players who were not expecting such from the airline staff but there were still more to come.

After eight hours of flight, the plane finally touched down at the Sao Paulo International Airport, with Sports Minister, Hon Tammy Danagogo leading NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, to welcome the team. Maigari was to announce that the Federal Government delegation led by Senate President, David Mark, will arrive Sao Paulo later on Wednesday to deliver President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s address to the team and also wish the team the best in the Mundial.

After light entertainment at the airport the team drove to it camp base in Campinas, where they will train at the Estadio Brinco De Ouro da Princesa. Once there, residents of Campinas turned out in their hundreds to welcome the team also with posters wishing the team the best in the World Cup. “We are totally overwhelmed by this wonderful reception, Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi said while addressing journalists in front of the Vitoria Hotel, where the team is quartered.

The team will begin training on Wednesday by 4pm local time as it gears up for its first game against Iran next Monday.

Keshi Debunks Echejile Must Stay Report…Ejike Arrives Sao Paulo

Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has debunked news making the rounds that he has insisted on keeping injured Elderson Echejile in camp against medical advise, adding that he never spoke to any Nigerian journalist on the matter.

Reacting to the story, Keshi said he was pained that Echejile, who is a very key member of the squad will be missing out after putting in so much but there was nothing he could do to hasten the healing process.

“We have spoken to the medical team and the NFF and we have agreed, so I was a bit shocked when I got a call from some of my friends back home that I insisted on an injured player. It’s a fallacy because I never spoke to anyone about Echejile”.

Ejike Uzoenyi, the Rangers International winger who was named by Keshi as replacement will arrive Brazil by 4pm local time from Nigeria.

Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, said all logistics to receive and reintegrate him into the team quickly have been made. “I guess when he arrives and start training Nigerians will finally come to the reality that we will miss Echejile in this World Cup”.

Eagles Await Second Opinion On Echejile…,

Eagles Await Second Opinion On Echejile…,

Coach Stephen Keshi speaking on the scan on Echejile, said it was not conclusive as he was waiting for a better medical opinion to enable him take a decision. “We don’t have to rush things, we are talking of the World Cup here, not just any other competition so we have to be careful what we say here regarding our top players”, Keshi said after Friday evening training.

Eagles In Action In Jacksonville

Ejide’s Wife Delivers World Cup Baby

The Super Eagles camp in Jacksonville, United States was thrown into jubilation, Friday afternoon, when goalkeeper Austin Ejide, gleefully announced that his wife, Chito, has given birth to a bouncing baby girl in nearby Chicago City also in the United States.

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, promptly named the child, the World Cup baby of Nigeria, as she was delivered barely ten days to Nigeria’s opening World Cup game against Iran on June 16. Asked what name he will like to call the baby girl, Ejide beaming with smiles said her name will be called Chimamanda.