Nigeria’s senior locally-based players will on Thursday, Oct. 17 begin preparations for the country’s first-ever appearance at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said on Tuesday.
In a statement in Abuja by its Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire, the NFA said the home-based Super Eagles would open camp with 28 players.
It said the team’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi who also manages the `A’ team, had already invited the players to camp.
“The players are to report in camp in Abuja as the Super Eagles’ Team B gets set for an international friendly with the full team of Jordan,’’ the statement said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match is billed for the Jordaniancapital city of Amman on Oct. 28.
Jordan is to use the match to prepare for their 2014 FIFA World Cup play-off fixture against the fifth-placed team in the South American qualifying campaign.
Nigeria is also using the game to prepare for the 2014 CHAN taking place in South Africa in January.
According to the statement, Keshi had invited three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders and eight strikers.
Ejike Uzoenyi, back home from a stint in France, as well as five regular members of the `A’ squad, are on the list.
These are goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, and midfielder Sunday Mba.
There are also other Team B regulars, such as goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defenders Ebenezer Odunlami and Umar Zango, midfielder Etebo Oghene and forwards Muhammad Gambo, Ifeanyi Edeh and Ezekiel Mbah.
“Team officials have advised all invited 28 players to arrive at the team’s Bolton White Apartments abode in Abuja on Thursday with their international passports,’’ the statement.
It said this was necessary as the visa processing for the trip would commence on Friday, Oct. 18 as the delegation was expected to leave for Amman on Friday, Oct. 25.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Rangers International); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Okemute Odah (Warri Wolves).
Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Ebenezer Odunlami and Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars).
Defenders: Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Bright Esieme (Enyimba International FC); Solomon Babatunde (Nasarawa United FC).
Midfielders: Sunday Mba, Ogonna Osuchukwu and Christian Oghiozor (Rangers International); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves) and Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars).
Midfielders: Mohammed Garuba (Abia Warriors); Douglas Achiv (Lobi Stars); Olayinka Oyeleke (Crown FC) and Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC).
Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba International); Barnabas Imienger (Lobi Stars) and Osadiaye Joseph (Warri Wolves).
Forwards: Sani Mohammed (Gombe United); Ejike Uzoenyi (Rangers International); Victor Namo (Nasarawa United) and Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United)