Coach Stephen Keshi has told Nigerians not to panic as the Super
Eagles prepare for crucial 2014 World Cup qualifying games and the
FIFA Confederations Cup tournament – all taking place in a number of
weeks.
A spate of injuries, first to Scotland-based midfielder Reuben Gabriel
and ace forward Emmanuel Emenike, and lately to attacking midfielders
Kalu Uche and Victor Moses, had caused anxiety in some quarters and is
being hyper-ventilated in public spaces and a section of the media as
‘problem in camp’.
But Keshi, who steered less-endowed Togo to that country’s only FIFA
World Cup qualification eight years ago, said he was more than
committed to leading his own country to next year’s finals in Brazil,
no matter the challenges.
“I am never one to run away from challenges; I have confronted them
head-on all my life. I have very good relationship with each and every
of my players, with mutual respect and regard being the bedrock.
“The players that we have invited for these matches are patriots and
are always ready to defend the green-white-green. We have 16 players
here now and team spirit is high. Everyone wants to play. What we will
certainly not do is to beg anyone to play for Nigeria”.
Nigeria’s longest-serving Captain said the late arrival of some
players is to be expected at this time of the season: “Most of the
players have just concluded very gruelling seasons and have need to
sort out personal issues, and of course there are talks to hold ahead
of next season. These talks have to be done now considering that the
players would be away for about seven weeks, on duty for Nigeria.”
The team’s Novina Hotel camp in Nuremberg swelled on Wednesday morning
with the arrivals of Germany-based striker Joseph Akpala and
Ukraine-based forward Babatunde Michael.
Portugal-based John Ogu was being expected on Wednesday night, while
defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile, as well as midfielder
Nnamdi Oduamadi are expected in camp on Thursday.
First-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, based in Israel, is expected
on Friday. Scotland-based stopper Efe Ambrose and Italy-based
midfielder Ogenyi Onazi have been granted permission to arrive on
Saturday due to club commitments.
Ukraine-based forward Brown Ideye will join the team in Texas, USA
while Ahmed Musa and Fegor Ogude will join the squad in Frankfurt
after the friendly with Mexico in America, also due to club
commitments.
The team will fly out of Frankfurt on Tuesday morning aboard a
Lufthansa Airline aircraft, and will arrive in Houston, Texas in the
evening. Abode is the classy The Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks.
