Etebo is early bird in Uyo, Mikel joins Abuja team
Eagles must handle Zambia’s ‘home boys’ with care – Sadi
Oghenekaro Etebo is among the first invited players to arrive at the Super Eagles Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort camp in Uyo,
understands.
The Air Peace plane that brought the CD Feirense attacking midfielder to Uyo touched down at the Akwa Ibom Airport at approximately 1 p.m. yesterday afternoon, and he immediately boarded a taxi to the hotel.
Bursaspor pair William TroostEkong and Mikel Agu are expected to be in the Super Eagles traveling party to the Akwa Ibom State capital later this evening, as they are already in Abuja with the squad.
Changchun Yatai striker Odion Ighalo and Mainz defender Leon Balogun arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening and Sunday night respectively and will fly out with the team.
Airport officials have informed this website that the invited players that chose to connect their flights from Lagos to Uyo might encounter problems as there are no more flights into Uyo from the commercial capital today.
The Super Eagles will hold Former international, Dahiru Sadi has advised the Super Eagles to tread cautiously when they take on the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday in Uyo.
The Eagles had won the first leg 2-1 in Lusaka and are currently leading the table but need at least a draw on Saturday to be their first training session today evening at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Similarly, Leicester City’s current Young Player of the Year Wilfred Ndidi has landed in Nigeria ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against the Copper Bullets.
Thus, manager Gernot Rohr will start running the rule over the central midfielder at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium this evening, when the Super Eagles hold their first training session.
Mainz defender Leon Balogun arrived Abuja on Sunday night, while ex-Watford star Odion Ighalo came in on Saturday evening.
Porto loanee Mikel Agu is also set to participate in the first full training session on Tuesday, having departed Turkey on Sunday.
Chippa United Daniel Akpeyi was being expected in Uyo yesterday evening, subject to the availability of flights to the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Meanwhile, FC Ifeanyi Ubah winger Prince Aggreh trained in the gym, along with Ighalo and Balogun yester, but the central defender had a recovery session as he was in the match day squad against Wolfsburg on Saturday. guaranteed a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
While the Chipolopolo coach has opted for players in the local league to prosecute the must win match against Nigeria, Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has again invited his array of foreign stars for the encounter.
In a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, Sadi said he is confident of victory over the Chipolopolo but also warned the Eagles against complacency.
He said the Eagles are in form at the moment so if they maintain their recent performances, they won’t have any problem beating Zambia on Saturday.
According to him, even if Zambia are coming with local players, Nigeria need her best leagues in Europe to prosecute the match.
“Going by the current form of the Super Eagles, I am confident they will beat Zambia. The players are playing good football at the moment and shouldn’t have any problem against the Chipolopolo.
“Although Zambia are using their home players to prosecute the match, we need our best legs in Europe. If they choose to use players in their league, that is their own concern. We need our best players against Zambia,” he advised.
The Super Eagles must avoid defeat against Zambia, if they are to qualify for the 2018 World Cup before their last match away against Algeria.