Eagles depart for Abidjan

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Thursday, July 25th, 2013

FIRING POWER… Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Sunday Mba puts Ivorian players in the firing range as he scored a brace in yesterday’s CAF African Nations Championship qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna.

BY JACOB AJOM
The senior national team, the Super Eagles will jet out this morning to Ivory Coast economic and commercial city of Abidjan to keep a date with the Ivory Coast national team, the Elephants in the reverse leg of the African Nations Championship coming up this weekend.

The Nigerians are carrying a 4-1 goal advantage from the first leg played in Kaduna, July 6.

Coach Stephen Keshi is taking a strong squad to the West African nation but will miss the services of lethal striker, Gambo Mohammed of Kano Pillars who could not travel due to injury. Gambo opened scoring in the first leg. Another injured striker, Haruna Babalo of El Kanemi Warriors was also dropped.

Keshi would however, bank on the versatility of Afcon 2013 hero, Sunday Mba, striker Ezekiel Mbah whose commendable performance in the first leg helped the Eagles record a convincing win over the Ivorians and other players like Ifeanyi Ede who capped his debut with Eagles fourth goal in Kaduna. Flying Eagles and Rangers of Enugu striker, Alhaji Gero also made the trip to Abidjan, so, the Nigeria coach will not lack strikers.

In the defence the dependable figures like Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Solomon Kwambe, Chibuzor Okonkwo and Benjamin Francis all made the trip. Captain Chigozie Agbim will man the post.

The match comes up on Saturday in Abidjan.

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