E.R.R

E.R.R

Sunday, December 30, 2012

21 days to 2013 South Africa Cup of Nations: Eagles’ camp bubbles as 9 foreign-based pros hit Portugal Base


The Super Eagles; camp is Faro, Portugal, is now bubbling with excitement following the arrival of more foreign-based pros for the final phase of the team’s preparation for the 29th Africa Cup of Nations.

This afternoon, a visibly happy coach Stephen Keshi led team officials to welcome the latest arrivals – Russia-based strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa and Italy-based Ogenyi Onazi, as well as Turkey-based Raheem Lawal. Their arrival brought to nine the number of foreign-based pros now in the Faro training camp.

A report from Portugal said that Emenike, Musa and Onazi arrived by lunch time and were immediately checked into their rooms.

“After exchanging banters with team officials led by coach Stephen Keshi they joined teammates in having their lunch and just as they were about rounding off, the fourth player to arrive on Sunday, Raheem Lawal, who now plays in the Turkish second division, showed up.

The four players are expected to take part in training on Sunday evening, as more players continue to hit camp for the friendly against Catalonia as part of preparations for the Nations Cup,” according to MTNFootball.com.

Keshi is expecting at least 11 foreign-based players to feature in the friendly against Catalonia on Wednesday.

He says apart from Ikechukwu Uche, who has been given January 6 to arrive camp because of the concession his club in Spain give to the Super Eagles, especially regarding the Catalonia friendly, all other players are expected in Faro by January 5.

Hear Keshi: “No, we have no discussion to let some players stay with their clubsides beyond January 5 and the rules are very clear if any player fails to make the date and without permission we will apply the rules.”

Photo: Ahmed Musa is among the latest arrivals.

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