Eagles begin preparation for Algeria as Uzoho misses training

By Albert Akota

The Super Eagles got down to business yesterday in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of their final 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Algeria.
Though Nigeria already have the World Cup ticket in their pocket, officials of the team are treating the Algeria game as important as they want the Super Eagles to end the campaign in style.
The spokesperson for the Eagles, Toyin Ibitoye, confirmed that the Eagles will have their maiden training session yesterday ahead of Friday’s game against the Algerians.
The Eagles camp is already bubbling as a greater number from those invited for the Algeria game as well as the friendly against two-time world champions, Argentina, are already on ground and itching to get down to business.
Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, welcomed 11 more players to Morocco after the earlier arrivals of Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Agu and goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
Already, the coach has handed late call-ups to Girona striker, Kayode Olanrewaju, who replaces the injured Moses Simon.
Those in at the last check are Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Agu and goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi, Olanrewaju Kayode, Henry Onyekuru, Chidiebere Nwakali, Kelechi Iheanacho, Uche Agbo and Chidozie Awaziem are also on the ground.
Kenneth Omeruo and Israel-based duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme complete the list of those in by Monday.
The team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, confirmed that team Captain Mikel Obi, as well as goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi, are expected in Rabat yesterday.
On Friday, the Super Eagles with the Russia 2018 World Cup ticket already in their pocket will fly to Constantine, where they face the Fennecs at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui from 8.30 p.m. Algeria time on Friday.
On Saturday, the Nigerian team will fly aboard a chartered flight to Krasnodar, the Russian city that will host Tuesday’s international friendly against Argentina.
However, freshly invited goalkeeper Francis Odinaka Uzoho arrived Morocco to team up ahead of their upcoming games against Algeria and Argentina.
Uzoho arrived Morocco from Spain few minutes after 4pm, hence missing out on their first training session ahead of Friday’s game against Algeria in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.
The dead rubber tie might come too soon for the recently turned 19 year old who has just two La-Liga games to his name for Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.
He will however begin his push for a spot in the team against the likes of Ikechukwu Ezenwa who is presently in training with the rest of the players who arrived earlier and Daniel Akpeyi who is still being expected at the time of filing in this report.
A total of 20 players are presently training under the watchful eyes of Coach Gernot Rohr who is expected to make a decision on who will be in goal against Algeria on Friday and also against Argentina in four days time.