Nigeria: Nations Cup Qualifier – Eagles Camp Flourishes

Olawale Ajimotokan

23 March 2011

A big fitness question hung around Osaze Odemwengie after he sat out of the training session of the national team of Nigeria which began Tuesday for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia with 20 players.

The first training session ahead of the Group B fixture billed for Abuja for Sunday was supervised by coach Samson Siasia.

Fegor Ogude, Solomon Okoronkwo and Uwa Elderson Echiejile were the invited players still to join the national camp.

The players that trained at the National Stadium are; Ambrose Efe, Dele Aiyenugba, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Victor Moses, Ayodele Adeleye, Victor Anichebe, Olufemi Olubayo, Joel Obi and Mikel John Obi.

Peter Utaka, Obinna Nsofor, Obafemi Martins, Ike Uche, John Ubido, Ahmed Musa, Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Rotimi Sunday and Kalu Uche made up the rest of the players.

Eagles’ team doctor battled on Odenwengie as the rest of the players worked under the supervision of Siasia and his back up staff.

The West Bromich Albion striker has a thigh problem resulting from the last English Premier League match at the weekend in which he scored his side’s second goal in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal. He, however, assured that he would be fit to play against the Ethiopians on Sunday.

“I will be fit. It is just a minor knock copped against Arsenal, but there is no cause for alarm. I will be okay before Sunday,” Odemwengie said. Wigan striker, Moses said he was happy to finally team up with Nigeria having earlier represented England at youth level.

“I am here to play Nigeria. It is an honour to be part of the Super Eagles. I have made up my mind to play for Nigeria,” he said.

Though Moses was born in Nigeria, he relocated to England in early 2000s after losing both parents as result of the sectarian riot in Kaduna. “That is settled now. I just want to play,” he said.

Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo told reporters that the team would have enough time to set up for the key fixture against the Antelopes. Yobo, who plays for Fenerbache in Turkey, said that they most important thing for the team not to win, but is to qualify for the Nations Cup finals in Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea. “We have to do the right thing to win.

The focus is to qualify for the Nations Cup.”

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