Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi was one of the early birds in the team’s camp as they convene for this weekend’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifier against Zambia on Monday.
Mikel who is the most experienced member of the team having made his debut in 2005 arrived the team’s Le Meridien Hotel base on Monday evening, and was among the first set of players who reported for duty.
Israeli based duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme had arrived in the morning alongside left back Elderson Echiejile when they joined home based goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Ajiboye who had earlier arrived camp.
As at close of the day on Monday, seventeen players had reported to camp, fifteen of them among the invited twenty three, the other two among players listed on standby.
Still being awaited are England based trio Olaoluwa Aina, Alexander Iwobi and Victor Moses. Others are vice captain Ogenyi Onazi, South Africa based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielder Uche Agbo and winger Daddy Moses Simon.
Two of the players placed on standby, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Afeez Aremu, both of Uyo-based Nigerian league side Akwa United are also already in camp.
The team will have its first full training session on Tuesday evening at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Roll call:
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Ayodele Ajiboye (Plateau United FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Elderson Echiejile (Sivasspor FC, Turkey);
Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Odion Ighalo (Chang Chun-Yatai, China); Anthony Nwakaeme (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
STANDBY: Afeez Aremu and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.
