Three standby players to join Eagles as Rohr holds first training session

Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr has called on the three players earlier placed on standby to join his squad in Seychelles, where Nigeria is currently preparing for Saturday’s African Nations Cup qualifier against the Pirates.

The latest development follows the withdrawal of William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina from the team due to injury.The new players are Bulgaria-based Stephen Eze, Blessing Eleke, who plays in Switzerland and Musa Mohammed of Gorica of Croatia.Eze and Mohammed are defenders, while Eleke is a midfielder.
 
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday revealed in a statement that 18 players are in the Eagles’ Savoy Hotel Resort and Spa camp in Victoria, Mahé Island.The players are Henry Onyekuru, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Nwakali, Bryan Idowu, Simeon Nwankwo and Joel Obi.
 
Others are Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, Jamilu Collins, Oghenekaro Etebo and Leon Balogun. “Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa (from Nigeria) and Daniel Akpeyi (from South Africa) were being expected to arrive camp before dinner.
 
“The development means the technical crew can concentrate on the training sessions ahead of Saturday’s game, without any worries over the forced withdrawals (due to injury) of Alex Iwobi, Olaoluwa Aina and William Ekong.”
 
Nigeria must beat Seychelles on Saturday to resuscitate its hope of qualifying for Cameroun 2019. The Super Eagles lost their first match in Uyo to South Africa and are third in a group led by Libya and South Africa.