by Tope Ayoola
Preparation is in top gear for the inconsequential World Cup qualifier clash against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Constantine and the World Cup preparation friendly against Argentina.
Statement from the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, from the team’s camp in Rabat Morocco indicates that all the players have arrived camp and they are all in high spirits for the two clashes.
Captain John Obi Mikel, goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and goalkeeper Francis Ezoho are the last batch of players to arrive camp on Tuesday afternoon.
He also stated that despite the fact that Nigeria has already qualified for the World Cup, the Super Eagles want to beat Algeria in front of their home fans in order to maintain their unbeaten run. Again, they’re seeing the game as a high profile preparatory game for the World Cup.
The players in camp; Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Francis Ezoho, Shehu Abdullahi, Chidozie Awaziem, Tyrone Ebuehi, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Mikel Agu, Kenneth Omeruo, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, John Ogu, Chidiebere Nwakali, Uche Agbo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ahmed Musa, Olarenwaju Kayode, Henry Onyekuru, Anthony Nwakaeme, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
The team began full training on Tuesday with 20 players. They will continue full training on Wednesday with the full compliment of 23 players.
On Thursday, the team would leave Rabat in Morocco where they’ve been training and fly to the city of Constantine in Algeria where they’ll play Algeria on Friday November 10 night at 8:30pm Algerian time, which is also 8:30pm Nigerian time.
Then on Saturday, after the Algerian game, the entire contingent would fly to Krasnorda, Russia with a chartered flight for the clash against the Albeceleste of Argentina on Tuesday November 14.
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Photos:
* The boys having a great time.
* The team in training.
I am ©Ayoola Tope