The Super Eagles' World Cup qualifying camp was a beehive of activities on Tuesday with the arrival in camp of seven other players, taking the number as at last night to 13.
Team skipper Nwankwo Kanu, strikers Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Osaze Odemwingie, defender Onyekachi Apam and midfielder Olufemi Ajilore arrived in the team's Mthumbi Lodge in the early afternoon, while defender Obinna Nwaneri arrived in the night.
On Monday, goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Bamidele Aiyenugba, defenders Ayodele Adeleye, Danny Shittu and Taye Taiwo and striker Joseph Akpala were the first in camp.
Head Coach, Amodu Shaibu, his assistants, Daniel Amokachi, Fatai Amoo and Aloysius Agu; team coordinator, Emmanuel Attah, curator Chidi Ngoka and the team doctor and physiotherapist have been on ground since Monday morning.
Spain-based Kalu and Ikechukwu Uche missed their flight in Zurich after arriving late from Madrid. "Their flight from Madrid developed a problem and they had to be transferred to another aircraft. By the time this was done, time was lost and they missed the flight from Zurich to Johannesburg. They will leave Zurich on Tuesday night to arrive in Johannesburg Wednesday morning," said Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, the protocol officer, who has been in Johannesburg with Emmanuel Attah, receiving the players and putting them on flight to Nelspruit.
Also expected Wednesday are midfielder Sani Kaita, who was waiting to receive his visa in Paris on Tuesday morning, defender Chidi Odiah and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
Team assistant captain, Joseph Yobo, who is injured, will arrive in Maputo on Saturday to boost the team's morale, alongside striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who also will not be able to take part in the match.
Out of the squad as well are injured defender Yusuf Mohammed and striker Chinedu Obasi.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday evening received a letter from English Premiership side, Chelsea FC, stating that midfielder John Mikel Obi is suffering from throat infection.
"John started to suffer from a throat infection on March 19, 2009 and this has been treated with a high level of Augmentin over the last 48 hours and we seem to be getting control of the infection."On the evening of March 19, he was pyrexial at 39.8 and at one stage hospitalisation was considered. However, due to the sensible nature of his partner, he remained at home and has slowly improved to the point where, I believe, he will be able to travel in approximately 48 hours. Obviously, he has not trained with us or played and I would ask you to take this into account in the week leading up to the game for Nigeria," wrote Dr Bryan English, chief medical officer of Chelsea, in a letter dated March 21, but received only on Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment