There are now 20 players in the Super Eagles camp and the team will begin training in Rabat, Morocco, this afternoon with the camp expected to be completed today, officials said. Twenty players have so far reported in the Eagles training camp in Morocco and skipper Mikel Obi is expected to lead two other call-ups, goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi, to Rabat later today.
“Training will start this afternoon,” disclosed Eagles spokesman Toyin Ibitoye. The match against Algeria is not inconsequential as we hope to use it to start our preparations for the World Cup, which is a big stage. We expect more competition in the team because we are going to Russia to do well.”
Nigeria are without several key players, namely Victor Moses, Elderson Echejile, Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi and Moses Simon for the matches against Algeria and Argentina. Olanrewaju Kayode and Kenneth Omeruo have thus been handed late call-ups by Coach Gernot Rohr.
Uncapped Henry Onyekuru, Chidiebere Nwakali and Francis Uzoho will get a chance to stake for places on the squad to Russia 2018. The Eagles will fly out to Algeria on Thursday for a final 2018 World Cup qualifier in Constantine the following day.
The Eagles have already qualified for Russia 2018 after winning four of their five qualifiers to lead Group B, which also houses African champions Cameroon and Zambia, on 13 points. However, Rohr has promised to field a strong team for the Constantine encounter at Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui.
On Saturday, the Nigerian team will fly aboard a chartered flight to Krasnodar for a friendly against Argentina.
