Izuchukwu Okosi
Ahead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Lone Star of Sierra Leone, the men’s national team have begun training at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Lagos.
The three-team African champions on Monday (June 12) held their first training session at the ground which hosted the NPFL Super 6 tournament won by Enyimba FC of Aba on Sunday evening.
The Arena’s origin dates back to the 1930s which is the birthplace of organised football competitions in Nigeria.
A win in the match guarantees Nigeria’s qualification for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 which has been postponed for a year as the country’s FA grapples with infrastructure development.
The team’s Monday training started at 4.15pm with ball work and physical and body strengthing.
The Nineteen players in camp include: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Kevin Akpoguma, Kenneth Omeruo, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Adebayo Adeleye, Victor Sochima, Olorunleke Ojo, Chidiebube Duru, Samuel Chukwueze, Divine Nwachukwu, Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka.
Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu are still expected in the team’s camp on the first day of training.
The SS Napoli and Southampton strikers are both linked to clubs across Europe.
Osimhen is attracting the interests of Manchester United, Arsenal Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid while Southampton’s Onuachu is today reportedly on the transfer wishlist of German Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
Stuttgart won the Bundesliga playoff against Hamburg last week to retain their place in the German topflight.
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.
