23 Eagles Depart For Niamey

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), at the weekend changed the travel plans of the senior national team by bringing it forward to Sunday evening after considering the logistics and security implications of the team traveling by road through Sokoto to the Nigerien capital; Niamey. The team made of 23 players, technical crew and backroom staff eventually left the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport for Niger on Sunday evening for the friendly that will take place on Wednesday in Niamey. Eagles spokesman, Ben Alaiya, quotes Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi Achor, as saying that the change in plan was both strategic and at a cost to the federation but added that no matter what, the safety and security of any national team comes first to the football house. The team is expected to land in Niger, Sunday evening and starts training for the friendly on Monday. “We will have at least two quality training session to prepare for the match and that will help the boys to be ready for the task ahead and particularly, the upcoming Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia in September”, Big boss Stephen Keshi declared. Meanwhile, Keshi has released Sunshine Stars skipper, Godfrey Oboabona, midfielder Izu Azuka and goalie Moses Ocheje, to the Akure based side for their Champions League confrontation against Algerian side ASO Chlef on Friday August 17. Only full back Solomon Kwambe, was retained by Keshi for the game against Niger on Wednesday. All three players are expected to r ejoin the team on return from the encounter.