23rd March, 2011
The Ethiopian national team, Walya Antelopes, are scheduled to arrive the country this evening ahead of Sunday’s Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
It was gathered that the Ethiopian Football Federation,EFF, has furnished the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF with the itinerary of the Antelopes.
According to the EFF, the delegation will arrive the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard a direct Ethiopian Airline from Addis Ababa at 6.45pm.
The team will be camped at the NICON Luxury hotel and will have their first training at the mainbowl of the National Stadium tomorrow.
The Eagles’ camp however came alive yesterday with the arrival of the 22 invited players for the Nations Cup qualifier. The players had their first training session under the watchful eyes of Chief Coach, Samson Siasia and his assistants.
The players in camp include goalkeepers Bamidele Aiyenugba and Sunday Rotimi, defenders Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Olubayo Adefemi, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Dele Adeleye and Efe Ambrose.
The midfielders are Mikel Obi of Chelsea, Julius Ubido, Joel Obi, and Kalu Uche, while the Osaze Odemwingie led the following strikers; Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor, Victor Moses, Obafemi Martins, Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Anichebe and Peter Utaka.
Meanwhile, West Brom of England star, Osaze did not take full part in yesterday’s due to the minor knock he picked during his Premier League club’s outing against Arsenal last weekend.
He only did a running round the field after which he sat on the bench throughout the training session.
The former Lille of France striker, however, allayed fears that the injury would prevent him from featuring for Nigeria in Sunday’s match.
According to him, “I’ll be fit for the game. The injury was just a minor knock, which I believe will get better to enable me pick a shirt for the crucial match against the Ethiopians.â€
The Match Commissioner for the qualifier, Hesham Salah from Egypt, will arrive Nigeria tomorrow. He is expected to fly straight to Abuja aboard an Egypt Airline and land five minutes before midnight.
Centre referee Slim Jedidi, 1st Assistant referee Bechir Hassani, 2nd Assistant referee Mohsen Ben Salem and 4th official Yosr Saadallah, all from Tunisia, will also fly in aboard a Lufthansa Airline that will arrive in Abuja tomorrow afternoon.