Izuchukwu OkosiThe Adam Park Hotel abode of the Super Eagles in the Moroccan city of Marrakech has witnessed a beehive of activities as 16 players reported to camp as at Tuesday afternoon ahead of the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, Prime Business Africa reports.
Prime Business Africa scooped that six more players will arrive the camp between Tuesday and Wednesday to the numbers to 22 for the matches.
However, 2023 Africa Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, Tyrone Ebuehi of Empoli and uncapped Luton Town’s Gabriel Osho have all been ruled out of the friendlies with injuries.
Players in camp as at press time include: Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.
The Communications department of the Nigeria Football Federation disclosed that Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were being expected by Tuesday.
Fernabahce right wing back, Bright Osayi-Samuel is expected to join the squad on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles will have their first full training for the friendlies on Wednesday morning and will be led by the assistant coach to Jose Peseiro at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Finidi George who is in charge of the team on interim basis.
Finidi George was a key member of the Eagles at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations where the team won its second Afcon title and made a World Cup debut in the summer of same year in the United States of America where the team reached the round of 16 stage.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
