Admin l Tuesday, September 03, 2018
MAHE ISLAND, Seychelles – The camp of Nigeria’s Super Eagles has come very much alive in Victoria, Mahé Island in Seychelles following the arrival of six more players on Tuesday afternoon, which brought the number of players at the team’s Savoy Hotel Resort and Spa to 18.
By Tuesday morning, there were 12 players in all: Henry Onyekuru, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Nwakali, Bryan Idowu, Simeon Nwankwo and Joel Obi. In the afternoon, Saudi Arabia -based Ahmed Musa, alongside Turkey –based Ogenyi Onazi, China -based Odion Ighalo, Germany –based Jamilu Collins and the England –based duo of Oghenekaro Etebo and Leon Balogun arrived camp and joined the team for lunch.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa (from Nigeria) and Daniel Akpeyi (from South Africa) were being expected to arrive camp before dinner. The development means the technical crew can concentrate on the training sessions ahead of Saturday’s game, without any worries over the forced withdrawals (due to injury) of Alex Iwobi, Olaoluwa Aina and William Ekong.
The Super Eagles look to garner all three points against the Pirates on Saturday to restore their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track following the reverse against South Africa in Uyo on Matchday 1 in June 2017.
AITEO Cup Rookie Round holds on Wednesday
All is now set for the Rookie Round of this year’s national finals of the AITEO Cup competition that will take place on Wednesday, according to the NFF’s Head of AITEO Cup, Emmanuel Adesanya. The Gateway Stadium in Sagamu; Patani Stadium in Gombe; Area 3 Stadium, Abuja; Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina; Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu and; Osogbo Township Stadium are among the venues to host the 10 matches that will determine 10 winners who then proceed to the Round of 64.
Former champions Enugu Rangers, Shooting Stars, Bendel Insurance, Enyimba FC, Akwa United, FC IfeanyiUbah and El-Kanemi Warriors are among the 54 teams standing by for the winners from the Rookie Round.
Niger Tornadoes Feeders of Minna, Topworld FC of Ado-Ekiti, FC IfeanyiUbah Feeders, Kogi United Feeders, Sokoto United, Akure City FC and the fancifully –named Bityong Cornerstone of Kaduna, Altar Knight of Ebonyi, Wasiu Alabelewe of Osun and Crime Busters of Enugu are among the teams that would take part in Wednesday’s Rookie Round.
ROOKIE ROUND FIXTURESDMD FC (Borno) Vs Potiskum FC (Yobe) – Yola
Madagali FC (Adamawa) Vs Ashana FC (Taraba) – Gombe
Bityong Cornerstone (Kaduna) Vs Sokoto United (Sokoto) – Katsina
Dan Masara FC (Kebbi) Vs IMG FC (Zamfara) – Sokoto
Kogi United Feeders (Kogi) Vs Tornadoes Feeders (Niger) – Abuja
Akure City FC (Ondo) Vs Wasiu Alabelewe (Osun) – Sagamu
Rickymarts Academy (Cross River) Vs Confine FC (Akwa Ibom) – Yenagoa
Altar Knight (Ebonyi) Vs IfeanyiUbah Feeders (Anambra) – Enugu
Topworld FC (Ekiti) Vs All-Stars of MKO Stadium (Ogun) – Osogbo
Akajiobi FC (Imo) Vs Crime Busters FC (Enugu) – Umuahia
AITEO CUP DATES TO KEEP IN MIND
Rookie Round – Wednesday, 5th September
Round of 64 – Sunday, 9th September
Round of 32 – Sunday, 16th September
Group Stage (16 qualified teams to play in 4 centres) – 24th – 28th September
Quarter Finals – Wednesday, 3rd October
Semi Finals – Sunday, 7th October
Grand Finale – Sunday, 14th October
