By Yemi Babalola Lagos, Nigeria
The home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria are presently in camp as they prepare for their Kenya 2018 African Nations Championship qualifiers against neighbouring Squirrels of Benin Republic. Knowing that in terms of selection, the usual suspects are in the list (see below the article for full list of 30 invited players).
It is no longer a news that Ikechukwu Ezenwa of FC IfeanyiUbah is the captain of the squad and Chima Akas of Enyimba as Vice-captain, and the team is been managed by Salisu Yusuf, though Gernot Rohr is still involved in an advisory role.
The first leg of the qualifiers against Benin is to be played in Cotonou August 13 and the return leg at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano on August 19.
One major issue that is boggling the Super Eagles both the main team and the home based squad is the Goalkeeping position of the team. This has even led the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to seek help from abroad as they have employed the service of Italian Goalkeeper trainer Enrico Pionetti.
Pionetti a former associate of technical adviser Gernot Rohr at his previous employment is said to be working alongside Alloy Agu the current Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer to ensure that the goalkeepers available are capable to ‘man’ the sticks for the various qualifiers before the Super Eagles.
The players have been pictured enjoying the environment of the camp, and will on Friday play Kano Feeders in a friendly before they are released to join their respective clubs for this weekend’s Nigeria Professional League games. With these early preparations, and coming from their league fitness the home-based Eagles would defeat Benin Republic come next Sunday.
FULL LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC Ifeanyiubah); Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC), Okiemute Odah (Lobi Stars), Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)
Defenders: Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Orji Kalu (Rangers International); Stephen Eze (FC Ifeanyiubah); Ariwachukwu Emmanuel (Akwa United); Elisha Golbe (Plateau United); Chima Akas (Enyimba FC); Nasiru Sani (Katsina United), Osas Okoro (Rangers International), Chinedu Ajanah (ABS FC)
Midfielders: Hafiz Aremu (Akwa United); Emeka Atuloma (Rivers United); Raphael Ayagwa (Lobi Stars); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Samuel Mathias (El-Kanemi Warriors), Alhassan Ibrahim (Akwa United), Chiamaka Madu (Rangers International)
Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Prince Aggreh (FC Ifeanyiubah); Sikiru Olatubosun (MFM FC), Thomas Zenke (Nasarawa United); Austin Oladapo (Gombe United), Stephen Odey (MFM FC); Kingsley Eduwo (Lobi Stars), Sunday Adetunji (Abia Warriors), Ifeanyi George (Rangers International)
