BEVERLY HILLS, October 06, (THEWILL) – Ahead of their international friendlies against African champions Algeria and Africa’s second-ranked team Tunisia, some of Nigeria’s international footballers invited to the Super Eagles’ camp at the Hotel die Zeit a der Glan in Austria have arrived.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF report monitored by THEWILL, defender Kenneth Omeruo and forward Moses Simon were among the early arrivals at the camp.
Also in that early-bird class were forwards Samuel Kalu and Chidera Ejuke, defender Leon Balogun and goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu. Not long after these, England-based defenders William Ekong, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Olaoluwa Aina, as well as forward Kelechi Iheanacho also landed in Austria. They were followed by goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, defender Jamilu Collins, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forwards Cyril Dessers and Alex Iwobi.
The rest of the crop of invited players were still expected by Monday night.
In addition to these early arrivals, the camp has come alive with the presence of former Germany U20 captain Kevin Akpoguma who arrived at the hotel to familiarise himself with the Nigeria set-up and bond with fellow players as he awaits the imminent approval of his international switch to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
On Friday, October 9, three-time continental champions, Nigeria will face the in-form Fennecs of Algeria at the Jacques Lemans Arena in Sankt Veit an der Glan, Austria before tackling 2004 African champions Tunisia at the same venue on Tuesday the 13th next week.
ALSO READ: Algeria Releases Team List For Super Eagles Friendly In Austria
Notable absentees from the Gernot Rohr-managed Nigerian squad who were initially invited will be the Turkish-based midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo who suffered a knock on Sunday while on duty for Galatasaray and is ruled out of play, Leicester City’s defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi who is nursing an injury of his own and Napoli’s forward Victor Osimhen who was excused due to coronavirus restrictions placed on his team after two players tested positive.
With global football shutdowns since March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first gathering of the Super Eagles in 2020. It allows them time to jell as a unit just before a pair of African Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone slated for November. In keeping with extant coronavirus protocols, THEWILL has learnt that fans will not be allowed inside the arena for either match.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
