Rabiu Ibrahim Boost For Nigeria U23 Ahead Of Ghana Clash

Rabiu Ibrahim will be fit to face the Black Meteors in Kumasi

PSV Eindhoven midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim has confirmed his availability for Nigeria when they clash with the Ghana in the return leg of the All Africa games qualifier billed next week.

After missing out on the last three matches involving the National U-23 team owing to injury, the influential player is now fit for the game in Kumasi on 10 July.

Rabiu who last featured for the Dream team V in their 1-1 draw against Liberia in Monrovia was exempted from the Olympic Eagles’ last three encounters due to a knee injury he sustained in the game in Monrovia.

“I since have started training and fully fit for any match situation,” declared the former Golden Eaglets playmaker.

“As I speak with you now, am off to training and that has been the situation in the last two weeks. I am fit and all things being equal, I should be available for the game against Ghana in Accra.

“I am aware that an invitation has been sent but my club is yet to speak to me; so I will approach our sporting director after training to know the situation if they have received the letter or not. But am positive that I should make it for the game” the former Golden Eaglets star said.

Nosa ready to go

Also words coming from Lillestrom, Norway, suggest that Nosa Igiebor would also be available for the return leg game against Ghana.

The Midfielder who netted a brace for the Dream Team in the first leg confirmed that he will make the return leg. “I know how important the return leg game would be and am happy that my club understands, good enough we would be going on break from the 4th of next month,” Nosa stated.

While pledging his commitment ahead of the game, the former FC Abuja star expressed worry over the possibility of fatigue “My worry now is that I would not be able to have proper rest. While other players in the club would observe the rest period, I would be in action and this I know would tell on my body, I only wish my club would give me additional days and this is where I think the Football Federation should come in. But I would be available” he assured.

Igiebor is presently the highest goal scorer in the Dream Team V qualifying series netting six of the 17 goals scored so far in both the All Africa and Olympic games qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Invitation letter has been sent to VVV Venlo for the release of Ahmed Musa, while Victoria Setubal has given the green light for Terna Suswam to return after the game against Ghana.

Letters have also been sent to Dynamo Kiev for the release of Lukman Haruna, Parma for Obiora Nwankwo and AC Milan for Nnamdi Oduamadi while Olaitan Otubanjo from Atletico Madrid is already in camp.

The Dream Team V takes a 3-1 first leg advantage to Ghana next week.