Eagles fight for shirts against Antelopes

The Super Eagles had their first training session ahead of the crucial World Cup final round qualifier against Ethiopia on Tuesday evening at the mainbowl of the refurbished Abuja National Stadium with 18 players sweating it out for starter’s shirts.

The over two hours trainning session was watched by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, who was accompanied by a deputy director, Olu Akoja, Special Assistant and former African, Commonwealth and Olympics tracks queen, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi. Also on hand to witness the trainning session was the AIPS President for Africa and Vice President of Mastersports International, Mitchel Obi. Hordes of sports journalists and fans also witnessed the session.

The roll call of players who trained on Tuesday evening include standin skipper, Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim all goalkeepers.

Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echejile, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis and James Okuosa were the defenders in training. John Mikel Obi leads from the middle that includes Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamadi, while strikers where Uchenna Nwofor, Obinna Nsofor and Ahmed Musa.

The training itself was very exciting as fans clapped for every move of the players and wished them well in Sunday’s encounter against Ethiopia.

Skipper Vincent Enyeama, while noting that the Ethiopians will be no pushovers promised that he and his teammates will not let the nation down.

Speaking briefly on the game the NSC DG, said he was impressed by the large turnout of players on day one of the trainning of the team, even as Head Coach Stephen Keshi says he expects a full house in Wednesday’s training session. Hon Elegbeleye said he was sure with the spirit of the team he saw on Tuesday that victory will be achieved in Addis Ababa come Sunday.

Team Scribe Dayo Enebi Achor said Shola Ameobi had a slight flight hitch and was expected Wednesday morning, Emmanuel Emenike was expected before dinner on Tuesday, same for Victor Moses and Brown Ideye. From the look of things in camp it seems that the eggs are well laid ready for hatching by the Super Eagles come Sunday.

GoalkeepersVincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

DefendersEfe Ambrose, Elderson Echejile, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis and James Okuosa

MidfieldersJohn Mikel Obi leads from the middle that includes Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Sunday Mba Nnamdi Oduamadi

StrikersUchenna Nwofor, Obinna Nsofor and Ahmed Musa

3 training sessions enough to beat Ethiopia —Keshi

Coach Stephen Keshi has said he hopes that three full training sessions in Abuja will be enough to prepare his team for Sunday’s showdown in Addis Ababa.

”Our training began yesterday and and we would train once a day

for the next three days,” he said.

”We will make do of what time that is available to us and see what we can achieve with what we have. Our aim is to win. No player has so far called in to request late arrival and thank God they all played over the weekend and good enough they are all in good health and I am just waiting to receive them,” he said.