- World Cup Playoff: 21 Super Eagles Players hold first training in Abuja
A total number of 21 players were in attendance in the first training session of the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday night ahead of their Qatar World Cup qualifiers match against Black Stars of Ghana.
The training, which was held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium was done under the watchful eyes of the Technical crew of the Super Eagles led by the interim Manager, Austin Eguavoen.
The Informant247 Nigeria News gathered that while four other players are also expected, the team, earlier on Tuesday was hit with the news of the unavailability of its first-choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye.
Okoye, who according to an official statement was ruled out of the first leg due to illness has been replaced immediately by the Goalkeeper of Enyimba FC, John Noble.
Expected to join the rest of the team on Wednesday as they depart for Kumasi on Thursday are Leicester City’s Ademola Lookman, John Noble, Sadiq Umar, and Akinkunmi Amoo.
Before now, Nigeria and Ghana senior teams have met 57 times in 71 years. Ghana have won 19 of those clashes with Nigeria winning 16, and 19 of the games ended in a draw.
The first leg of the game is billed for Friday, March 25 at Baba Yara Stadium in Ghana, while the return leg is scheduled for Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29.
Super Eagles Call-up players against Ghana
Already in camp: William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Olaoluwa Aina, Frank Onyeka, Odion Ighalo, Daniel Akpeyi, Ahmed Musa, Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, Abdullahi Shehu, Francis Uzoho, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Dennis, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Innocent Bonke, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze.
Expected players: Akinkunmi Amoo, Sadiq Umar, Ademola Lookman, John Noble