Watford FC of England star forward Odion Ighalo was the first player at the Super Eagles’ camp in France on Tuesday night, but has since been joined by 16 others as the three –time African champions prepare for a friendly international with Mali’s Les Aigles at the Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen on Friday night.
The list of 17 players includes the nine who left from Abuja aboard an Air France flight on Tuesday: Ogenyi Onazi, Brown Ideye, Abdullahi Shehu, Umar Aminu, Kingsley Madu, Elderson Echiejile, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Etebo Oghenekaro and Musa Muhammed.
There are also England –based goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, Germany –based defender Leon Balogun, Arsenal of England’s Alex Iwobi and Belgium –based forward Moses Simon.
Morocco –based midfielder Babatunde Michael and Turkey –based Raheem Lawal and Gbenga Arokoyo were being expected last night.
South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Norway –based defender William Troost Ekong are expected on Thursday. But Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho and Turkey –based defender Kenneth Omeruo have been held back by visa hitch.
However, Super Eagles’ administrator Enebi Achor told thenff.com that both players are hopeful of getting their visa latest Thursday.
The team trained on Wednesday evening, and will train twice on Thursday, at 9am and at 6pm.
