Yusuf Faces Baptism Of Fire Today
Super Eagles coach, Salisu Yusuf and his assistants will face baptism of fire today as Nigeria, Mali clash in the much talked about international friendly at the Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen, France. The Super Eagles are looking to record their second win of 2016 but are without a number of key players in the match against. A confident Yusuf, assisted by Imama Amapakabo and Kennedy Boboye, said yeatserday his boys have bonded well and are good to go for the clash with their West African rivals . “Yes, we have had only three training sessions. But they were very good sessions and the team has bonded very well. We expect to go all out even though it is a friendly match. “We are working with players who have self –belief and there is excellent team spirit.” Only two players, namely Turkey –based defender Kenneth Omeruo and Belgium –based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi were being expected in camp as at yesterday. In camp are Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi, Brown Ideye, Carl Ikeme, Alex Iwobi, Abdullahi Shehu, Umar Aminu, Kingsley Madu, Moses Simon, Elderson Echiejile, Leon Balogun, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Musa Muhammed, Etebo Oghenekaro, Babatunde Michael, Raheem Lawal, Gbenga Arokoyo, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Daniel Akpeyi. Captain John Obi Mikel and Ahmed Musa were released to compete in Joseph Yobo’s testimonial game, while forward Aaron Samuel Olanare has a knee injury and defender William Troost-Ekong is unavailable due to club commitments, although he will be able to feature against Luxembourg. For Mali, captain Seydou Keita has been left out of Alain Giresse’s 23-man squad and Werder Bremen midfielder Sambou Yatabare will not be involved in Rouen because of injury. They have fared better in qualifying than Nigeria, taking 10 points from four games to put them in pole position to qualify from Group C, and should be keen to build further momentum ahead of a qualifier with South Sudan next week, when a spot in the finals in Gabon could be secured. Today’s match is the first of a two –game arrangement that will see the Super Eagles leave for Luxembourg City on Saturday, to play that country’s senior national team on Tuesday night.
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