18 Eagles fight for shirts against Antelopes

The Super Eagles had their first training
session ahead of the crucial World Cup
final round qualifier against Ethiopia on
Tuesday evening at the mainbowl of the
refurbished Abuja National Stadium
with 18 players sweating it out for
starter's shirts.
The over two hours trainning session
was watched by the Director General of
the National Sports Commission, Hon
Gbenga Elegbeleye, who was
accompanied by a deputy director, Olu
Akoja, Special Assistant and former
African, Commonwealth and Olympics
tracks queen, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi.
Also on hand to witness the trainning
session was the AIPS President for
Africa and Vice President of
Mastersports International, Mitchel Obi.
Hordes of sports journalists and fans
also witnessed the session.
The roll call of players who trained on
Tuesday evening include standin
skipper, Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide
and Chigozie Agbim all goalkeepers.
Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echejile, Godfrey
Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe,
Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis
and James Okuosa were the defenders
in training. John Mikel Obi leads from
the middle that includes Ogenyi Onazi,
John Ogu, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi
Oduamadi, while strikers where
Uchenna Nwofor, Obinna Nsofor and
Ahmed Musa.
The training itself was very exciting as
fans clapped for every move of the
players and wished them well in
Sunday's encounter against Ethiopia.
Skipper Vincent Enyeama, while noting
that the Ethiopians will be no pushovers
promised that he and his teammates
will not let the nation down.
Speaking briefly on the game the NSC
DG, said he was impressed by the large
turnout of players on day one of the
trainning of the team, even as Head
Coach Stephen Keshi says he expects a
full house in Wednesday's training
session. Hon Elegbeleye said he was
sure with the spirit of the team he saw
on Tuesday that victory will be achieved
in Addis Ababa come Sunday.
Team Scribe Dayo Enebi Achor said
Shola Ameobi had a slight flight hitch
and was expected Wednesday morning,
Emmanuel Emenike was expected
before dinner on Tuesday, same for
Victor Moses and Brown Ideye. From the
look of things in camp it seems that the
eggs are well laid ready for hatching by
the Super Eagles come Sunday.
Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide,
Chigozie Agbim
Defenders
Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echejile, Godfrey
Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe,
Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis
and James Okuosa
Midfielders
John Mikel Obi leads from the middle
that includes Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu,
Sunday Mba Nnamdi Oduamadi
Strikers
Uchenna Nwofor, Obinna Nsofor and
Ahmed Musa
3 training sessions enough to beat
Ethiopia —Keshi
Coach Stephen Keshi has said he hopes
that three full training sessions in Abuja
will be enough to prepare his team for
Sunday's showdown in Addis Ababa.
"Our training began yesterday and and
we would train once a day
for the next three days," he said.
"We will make do of what time that is
available to us and see what we can
achieve with what we have. Our aim is
to win. No player has so far called in to
request late arrival and thank God they
all played over the weekend and good
enough they are all in good health and I
am just waiting to receive them," he
said.