EAGLES LAND IN CANAAN CITY
Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, kick-started preparations for the Brazil 2014 qualifier against Namibia in Calabar yesterday, when he announced that five players will not be part of the camp in the Cross River State capital, but can be recalled in the nearest future.
Keshi made the announcement during dinner at the Excel Oriental Hotel in Lagos, where the team put up on return from Peru, before it jetted out to Calabar later on Sunday afternoon.
Twelve home based stars will be joined by Ekigho Ehiosun to compliment the 14players earlier announced to now bring the number of players that will be in the Calabar camp of the team to 27. Those dropped on Saturday areUgonna Uzochukwu of Rangers International, Enyimba's Gbolahan Salami, Ossai Uche of Warri Wolves, Heartland's first choice in goal, Dan Akpeyi and his counterpart from Sharks FC, Okemuteh Odah.
Keshi said in a pensive mood that he had to drop the players because all of them cannot be in camp. 'If I have my way all of us will be in camp, but we have reached a crucial bend and only the best of the best will be needed, that does not mean you are not good enough, and that is why I can assure that sooner than later we will again call on you. Go and ensure that you always play regularly for your clubside and very well too, because that will form the basis of your recall.'
The Super Eagles Sunday afternoon departed for Calabar to kick-start preparations for Sunday's cracker against the Namibia national team. The 12 home-based professionals who made the list are Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Sunday Mba, Ejike Uzoenyi, Juwon Oshaniwa, Izu Azuka, Godfrey Oboabona, Henry Uche, Kalu Uche, Papa Idris, Gabriel Reuben, Obinna Nwachukwu and Turkey based Ekigho Ehiosun.
Keshi, yesterday also urged Nigerians and those in authority, with special reference to the media to help support the team with prayers and positive words rather than cause unnecessary distractions in the team. 'Nigeria is blessed with thousands of players all over the world and not all of them can be invited at the same time, so we must be careful, when we start insisting that A or B, must be invited and the media has a crucial role to play here, otherwise we will divide the team and that is not good for us at this time'.