. Maduka Okoye out
Nigeria’s army for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff battle with Ghana on Tuesday started their preparations in the Federal Capital, Abuja ahead of departure to Kumasi on Thursday.
Three–time African champions Nigeria and four–time African champions Ghana tango at the 40,000–capacity Baba Yara Stadium on Friday evening, in the first leg of a potentially –explosive fixture in which both teams will battle for a single ticket to the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals. The return leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja is expected to be even pulsating and fiery.
At lunchtime on Tuesday, 21 of the 25 invited players had arrived at The Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
Friday’s encounter in Kumasi will be the 58th clash between the two countries’ senior teams, with 18 of those matches having ended in draws.
Captain Ahmed Musa and deputy captain William Ekong are among the 21 players who are already in camp for the two big games.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has fallen ill and Coach Augustine Eguavoen has extended invitation to Enyimba FC goalkeeper John Noble to join the squad.
• Maduka Okoye…ill-health rules him out
Super Eagles In Camp
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa);
Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Innocent Bonke (FC Lorient, France); Oghenekaro Etebo (Watford FC, England);
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy)
Expected
John Noble (Enyimba FC, Nigeria), Akinkunmi Amoo (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Ademola Lookman (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain)
Expected Wednesday: Ademola Lookman, John Noble
