As Eagles shape up for Malawi showdown
Nigeria’s build-up to this Saturday’s crucial Brazil 2014 World Cup was hit by a major scare yesterday afternoon as an Aero flight conveying Super Eagles strike ace, Nnamdi Oduamadi to Calabar was unable to land at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar after two attempts.
Pilot Sports authoritatively gathered that the plane had to divert to Port-Harcourt airport for the safety of those on board which included Elderson Echijile, Shola Ameobi and Supersport analyst, Colin Udoh.
Preparation has, however, reached a crescendo with twenty players in camp battling for a place in the starting eleven ahead of the showdown with the Flames of Malawi.
At the Super Eagles camp at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel Wednesday afternoon, the players and head coach Stephen Keshi fielded questions from newshounds in a media parley.
In camp for the African champions are stand-in skipper, Vincent Enyeama; Chelsea superstar, John Mikel Obi; goalkeepers Ausin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.
New Turkey recruit, Godfrey Oboabona; James Okwuosa, who was the first player to arrive camp on Monday morning; Brown Ideye; Soolomon Kwambe; Benjamin Francis; Azubuike Egwuekwue; Lazio midfield anchor, Ogenyo Onazi and Uche Nwofor, who scored two beautiful goals against the Bafana Bafana in the Mandela Challenge. Also in camp are Efe Ambrose; Sunday Mba and Ahmed Musa; Obinna Nsofor.
Emmanuel Emenike checked in at the Metropolitan hotel at 9pm Tuesday for the match against Malawi on Saturday. The top marksman at the last Nations Cup in South Africa has not played for the Super Eagles since the team dispatched Mali 4-1 in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations. Emenike trained with the team yesterday evening at the U.J Esuene Stadium.
The three remaining Super Eagles who were expected in camp last night as we went to press were Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi and John Ogu.
The Malawian team is being expected in Calabar on Thursday and will train at the venue of the match on Friday. The match is expected to kick-off at 4pm on Saturday.