Int’l Friendly: Eagles Get A Boost Salifu Usman, Abuja February 9th, 2009
Super Eagles camp in Hilton Dockland Hotel, London has received a huge boast ahead of the must awaited international friendly between Nigeria and Jamaica on February 11th with the arrival of several key players based outside England.
The latest to arrive the camp yesterday were the duo of Spain based midfielder, Kalu Uche and Ikechukwu Uche as well as Olympique Marsaille left full back, Taye Taiwo.
Also joining the players in the camp yesterday include Locomotive pacy striker, Osaze Odemwingie, Inter Milan forward, Obinna Nsofor, Femi Ajilor, Austin Ejide and Israel base goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba. The players joined the pull of the England based Eagles stars led by the team captain Kanu Nwankwo, Joseph Yobo and Mikel Obi who were already in the camp.
The team head coach, Shiabu Amodu, led his coaching crew and the few players in camp on a light training yesterday before the arrival of other players and the team is expected to resume full training today ahead of the match tomorrow.
I happy Barnes have put in some addittion into the squad.
Reggae Boyz welcome young gun
The Reggae Boyz could welcome one new face and two more familiar ones to the squad for their Friendly against the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the New Den Stadium, home of Championship team Millwall FC, on Wednesday February 11.
Twenty year-old West Ham United striker Zavon Hines described by coach John Barnes as a ‘ a goal scorer, a skillful predator who could play off the main striker could earn his first cap for the country of his father’s birth against the Nigerians.
Now if he is described as a young gun now then imagine how he will play for jamaica in the future. As he gets the experience he will play better and West Ham coach Zola will give him oppurtunities to play
It's interesting that the Jamaican media seems so far out of this. They keep reporting that Marshall is coming, even though we have been told that he is not. I wonder if they will even have any coverage tomorrow, given that they have given little attention to the game so far. On the other side of things, the Nigerian media has not disappointed. Here is Kanu talking about the game, and it should give the Boyz some motivation if they see his comments replicated elsewhere:
Nigeria: Eagles Will Do Well Against Jamaica - Kanu Tunde Sulaiman 9 February 2009
Lagos — Super Eagles skipper Nwankwo Kanu has assured Nigerians that the team will do well in Wednesday's international friendly against Jamaica.
Speaking to THISDAYSports from his base in London yesterday, the Portsmouth star also downplayed insinuations that they are playing a lowly rated side ahead of their build up for the final round of the World Cup qualification series beginning in March. The Super Eagles are billed to travel to Mozambique.
But according to the former Arsenal star, the fact that they were even utilizing the FIFA window was a major plus for the team in their quest to make the finals of the World Cup in South Africa next year.
"We are playing a friendly and that is the most import thing right now. Is it not better to play Jamaica than not to play any match at all? At least the players will have something to do and the coaches will be able to try out a few things before the World Cup qualifiers proper.
"We the players are not taking the game lightly and intend to put in our very best to ensure that we do well," said the man who scored the goal that won Portsmouth the 2008 FA Cup.
According to him the players started arriving camp yesterday in London for the match taking place at the Dell, the home ground of Millwall football club.
