By Gracious Akujobi
Only three players, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Fegor Ogude are expected on Tuesday morning in Durban on time for Wednesday prestige Mandela Challenge friendly against Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The Eagles arrived Durban from Johannesburg on Monday morning after a six hour over night flight from Lagos to Johannesburg. The team was led by Head Coach Stephen Keshi with four home stars, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona. The NFF President, Aminu Maigari, who is expected for the game will also hit town on Tuesday.
When the team got to its Southern Sun hotel abode, several of the invited players were already in their rooms. Among the early birds were late call ups James Okwuosa and Gege Soriola, who are both based in South Africa. There was also Obinna Nsofor, Elderson Echjiele, who were the first foreign based stars to arrive Durban.
Others include Uche Nwafor, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyo Onazi and Brown Ideye. By lunch time bulky Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi strolled in along with stand in skipper, Austin Ejide. Ameobi said he was happy to rejoin his teammates after missing the last Nations Cup that the team eventually won.
“Am so happy to be back with these set of players who always show me love and care and I promise from now on to always give my best to the team”. The Team will have its first training session later in the evening at 7:30 local time, which is 6:30pm Nigerian time. It’s the same time that the team will train on Tuesday before the cracker against Bafana Bafana on Wednesday at 8:15pm local time.
Tickets for the game have already been pegged at between R50-R200. Head Coach Stephen Keshi told the local media on arrival that he hopes to give the South Africans a good game to honour Nelson Mandela, who is Africa’s foremost nationalist.
