Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and on-loan Hull City defender Ola Aina beat the October 3 deadline for them to report to the Super Eagles training camp ahead of their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Uyo on Saturday.
Iwobi, who has yet to burst into life this season, hit Uyo on Tuesday evening, with Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr breathing a sigh of relief.
The 21-year-old, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season in the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat of Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, did not take part in the training session at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Aina, who recently switched his international allegiance to Nigeria, arrived at the camp late on Tuesday.
However, the team were boosted by the news that Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses would arrive at the camp on Wednesday morning to take part in the evening training session. The 26-year-old was the only player not in camp on Tuesday night.
Spokesman for the team Toyin Ibitoye, who confirmed Iwobi’s arrival to our correspondent on the telephone, also confirmed that Moses would arrive in camp today.
Although Ibitoye said Moses, who was dropped for Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in their Premier League fixture on Saturday, had Rohr’s understanding to delay his arrival to enable to rest, our correspondent learnt that the player took permission from the coach to sort out some urgent personal issues.
Meanwhile, 20 players participated in the team’s first training session on Tuesday evening.
At the training ground were captain Mikel Obi, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile, Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, John Ogu, Shehu Abdulahi, Anthony Nwakaeme, William Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo, Dele Ajiboye and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Wllfred Ndidi, Daniel Akpeyi, Uche Agbo, Mikel Agu, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Aremu Afis completed the list. France-based defender Chidozie Awaziem missed the session, aside from Aina and Moses.
Twenty-year-old Aina took to Twitter early on Tuesday to declare his readiness for the clash against Chipolopolo.
