7th February, 2011
The Super Eagles, will play Sierra Leone under floodlights at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria Wednesday.
Osaze Odemwingie, strikers Peter Utaka and Ahmed Musa are among the early arrivals for the friendly match, while Eagles’ opponents, the Leone Stars are expected to have a full house in Lagos this afternoon.
The tie, which will be Coach Samson Siasia’s first match since he took over the team is a test-run for the Eagles ahead of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia next month.
It was gathered from the NFF chief media officer, Ademola Olajire that Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who won two man-of-the-match awards at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa despite Nigeria’s failure to reach the knock-out stage, will arrive today with captain Joseph Yobo.
The Eagles were originally scheduled to take on Guatemala in Miami, Florida, USA on the same day but match organisers developed cold feet as a result of the litany of court cases against the NFF, forcing the body to search the globe for an opponent for the Eagles.
Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars came into the picture as a last resort, and will feature eight home-based players with 10 Europe-based stars against Nigeria in Lagos.
Obinna Nsofor, who scored five goals for his English Premier League club, West Ham in two matches recently is invited alongside new boy Emmanuel Emenike, but Victor Anichebe of Everton and Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi were ruled out due to injuries.
Inter Milan’s Joel Obi is another late call-up due to the forced absence of home boy Bartholomew Ibenegbu.
Obiora Nwankwo, Femi Ajilore, John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses are among the midfielders listed for the cracker. Goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, defenders Ayodele Adeleye, Taye Taiwo, Michael Odibe, Olubayo Adefemi and Elderson Echiejile are also expected at the Eko Hotel today.
Meanwhile, another report claimed that Chelsea do not want Mikel to feature in the match as he would be unable to train or play on artificial turf because of his recent surgery.
