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.

Keshi Explains Comments On IK Uche…I Did Not Shut Him Out’…

Keshi Explains Comments On IK Uche…I Did Not Shut Him Out’…Eagles Bubble Into Khartoum

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was livid with rage when he read reports credited to him to the effect that he has shut the Super Eagles permanently against Villareal of Spain striker, Ikechukwu Uche.

Clarifying what he said at Wednesday’s media parley in Abuja, Keshi said for the umpteenth time what he said was that he will not beg Uche to play for Nigeria, especially when there are other players who are willing and ready at all times to play for the Super Eagles.

“I don’t know where they got that portion of their reports from, but I never said Uche won’t play as long as I remain coach of the team. In the near future if he changes his mind and indicates interest to play he will be considered on merit”.

He urged the media not to sensationalise the Ike Uche issue as it will not help resolve anything. “We have to help all our players grow so that we can all build a strong national team and the media is a partner in this regard. He said he does not have anything personal against the Villareal striker but will not force to play for Nigeria against his will.

The Super Eagles arrived Khartoum, the Sudanese capital early morning on Friday, at about 6am local time and 4am in Nigeria aboard Sudan Airways for the crucial Nations Cup qualifier game against the Sudanese national team. Reception from the Sudan Immigration was smooth while a handful of Nigerians were outside cheering the team. After airport formalities, the team was driven to nearby Grand Holiday Inn, where it will stay for two nights.

NFF Vice President, Barr Seyi Akinwunmi led the team to Sudan, with NFF Director, Technical , Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and other secretariat staff intow.

Also visible on the entourage is the President General of the Nigeria and Other Sports Supporters Club, Dr Rauf Ladipo. He came as usual with his team to cheer the Eagles to victory and he started doing that right from the airport.

Tomorrow’s match is scheduled for 8pm local time that’s 6pm Nigeria time and the Eagles are scheduled to have a feel of the Khartoum Stadium, same time today.

Keshi: I Did Not Invite Uche Brothers…,Ejide Says Bafana Game A Must Win

Super Eagles coach, Stephen KeshI, breezed into Cape Town Tuesday morning to link up with rest of the squad, declaring that he never extended any new invitation to new players, especially the Uche brothers Kalu and Ikechukwu for Wednesday’s game against Bafana Bafana.

He called on the media to cross check facts properly before rushing to the press or the social media. “I have heard it myself and I just laughed because those who should know that we have no time between our last game and the match against Bafana Bafana are the same people misleading Nigerians.

These players are professional footballers and there are processes for invitation, you don’t just bump into them and say come and play, that is very unprofessional and I never did that”, he declared.

Keshi said the game against Bafana is a very important one that the Eagles must take like a World Cup final, instead of depending on any team to make it the Nations Cup in Morocco next year. “We are the champions of Africa and we must start showing that not only against Bafana but in all our remaining games”.

Austin Ejide, Super Eagles Goalkeeper

Team standin captain, Austin Ejide in his own submission vowed that the magic wand of the team will be seen in the Bafana game.

“There are no easy games again but we have our backs to the wall now and we must do what we have to do to move on in the chase to qualify for the Nations Cup”, he declared at the team’s Southern Sun Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town.