The Super Eagles on Monday in Rabat, Morocco began preparation for Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria which is scheduled for Constantine.
Meanwhile, Coach Gernot Rohr has replaced injured midfielder Ogenyi Onazi with defender Kenneth Omeruo, while Girona FC of Spain forward Olanrewaju Kayode takes the place of Moses Simon, who is also knocked out by injury.
All the technical crew and backroom staff arrived in Rabat on Sunday, alongside four players: Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Agu and goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
On Monday, Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi, Olanrewaju Kayode, Henry Onyekuru, Chidiebere Nwakali, Kelechi Iheanacho, Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem arrived in Casablanca just after noon, and were immediately driven to Rabat.
Less than an hour after the crew of Etebo and seven others landed, Turkey –based defender Kenneth Omeruo and Israel –based duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme also arrived at the Mohamed V Airport, Casablanca. They were also immediately driven to Rabat, where the team is quartered at the Golden Tulip Farah.
Team administrator Dayo Enebi Achor confirmed to thenff.com that team captain Mikel John Obi, as well as goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi, are expected in Rabat on Tuesday.
On Friday, the Super Eagles, with the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket already in their pocket, will fly to Constantine, where they face the Fennecs at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui from 8.30pm Algeria time on Friday.
On Saturday, the Nigerian team will fly aboard a chartered flight to Krasnodar, the Russian city that will host Tuesday’s international friendly against Argentina.
Ahmed hails Falconets, sure Morocco will fall in Benin City
Newly –appointed Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed (popularly called ‘Fresh’) has commended the country’s U20 girls, Falconets, for the 1-1 draw secured against their Moroccan counterparts in Sale on Sunday.
The match was the first leg of a second round fixture of the African qualifying race for the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
The homers got the opening goal of the encounter in the 24th minute but Nigeria’s leading scorer of the qualifiers, Rasheedat Ajibade drew the Falconets level minutes later, and scoreline remained that way until the final whistle by the Ghanaian referee.
“I want to praise the Falconets for putting up a great effort despite the fact that they were playing away, and also despite the very cold weather. I have heard reports of how the weather made the game difficult for our girls.
“No doubt, I have confidence that the Falconets will go all out and win the second leg in Benin City next week, to qualify for the final round of qualifiers,” Ahmed told thenff.com.
The return leg will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on 18th November, with the winner on aggregate proceeding to the final round of the African qualifying series.
