Seychelles clash: Eagles begin full training

The Super Eagles began full preparation ahead of Friday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba as all the invited 23 players participated in the training exercise under the supervision of head coach Gernot Rohr.

Five players namely Francis Uzoho, Henry Onyekuru, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Victor Osimhen were being expected in camp as at 4pm on Tuesday but the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the arrival of the overseas-based players on Twitter later in the evening.

“Full House. John Ogu, Etebo Ogenekaro, Francis Uzoho, Victor Osimhen and Henry Onyekuru have arrived in camp ahead of the #AFCON2019Q vs Seychelles. All 23 invited players are now in and will be part of training today. #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong,” read a tweet on the official handle of the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

Only seven players reported for duty on Monday with Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo, Semi Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Ikouwen Udoh the early arrivals.

The number however increased on Tuesday with vice-captain Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong amongst others joining their colleagues in camp.

The players had their first training session ahead of the game at 4.45 pm local time on Tuesday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

Gernot Rohr’s team which is already through to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will also take on the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly also in Asaba next week Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Seychelles’ national team, Pirates, landed in Abuja on Tuesday for the AFCON qualifier.

The 29-man Seychelles delegation arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight Tuesday afternoon, and would be flown to Asaba on Wednesday (today), according to a media release from the NFF.Punch