Ngr vs Mex: Mikel, Moses first in Atlanta

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and Victor Moses were expected to arrive in the USA early on Monday (today) ahead of the rest of the Super Eagles squad for the friendly match against Mexico on Wednesday. The England-based players left London on Sunday just hours before the other delegation from Nigeria left for the game also on Sunday.

The team administrator Dayo Achor who left Lagos on Saturday confirmed the itinerary of the players when he made a stopover in London enroute to the venue of the match.

He told the Nigeria Football Federation officials, “I’m on the same flight to the USA with Mikel and Victor Moses. They are expected to arrive there on Monday like all other players, because the coach has said he wants all his players in by Monday.”

Four players from the African Nations Championship are on the trip to the USA, with the competition’s Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi, leading defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ebenezer Odunlami and midfielder, Shehu Abdulahi.

Other players called in for the match are expected to fly in directly from their various bases to Atlanta. Monday was announced as the final arrival date for all of them as the players are billed to have a light training session on the same day. Last Thursday, the NFF unveiled the new jersey of the Eagles for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The new jersey will be used for the first time with the game against the North Americans.

The Nigerian delegation from Abuja was led by the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, while the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi is expected to join them later. Nigeria coach, Stephen Keshi has been in the United States for about two weeks leading to the game.

Wednesday’s friendly is to be played at the Atlanta Georgia Dome with both countries lining up their potential World Cup squads for the encounter. Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo who last featured for the team in February 2013 in South Africa got a recall while the squad suffered a setback when Canada-based Dike suffered Achilles tendon injury last month during a training session with his club. Last week Eagles assistant coach Dan Amokachi hinted that the game would go a long way in determining who gets a call-up for the final camping leading to the World Cup starting in June.