Road to Russia: Ezenwa, Echiejile, Etebo arrive in Eagles camp

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and five others were the early arrivals as the Nigeria camp opened in Uyo on Monday ahead the World Cup qualifier against Zambia this weekend.

The Super Eagles host the Chipolopolo in a crunch African Group B qualifier for the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on October 7 and the outcome means so much to both sides. While Nigeria are on 10 points, the Zambians are second with seven points.

Other early arrivals are goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye, Elderson Echiejile, John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme and Oghenekaro Etebo. In all, 23 players are expected in camp for the match.

The Super Eagles training sessions will be open to the public today and tomorrow, while the Thursday and Friday sessions will be held behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, the technical crew and players of the Nigeria team will interact with the media in a press conference on Thursday. It is expected to start at 11.30am.

In a related development, players of the Zambian national team had their first training at their transit camp in Accra on Monday. The training took place at the Marcel Desailly Sports Complex.

The Zambian contigent arrived in the Ghanaian capital on Sunday with 12 local players. Eleven others playing for different clubs outside Zambia will join them there before they leave Accra on Wednesday for the trip to Nigeria.

Justin Shonga of Orlando Pirates and Roderick Kabwe (Ajax Cape Town) were the first set of Zambia’s foreign-based players to arrive in camp on Monday. Fashion Sakala and Stoppilla Sunzu from Russia, arrived early enough to join the afternoon session. Others were expected to arrive later yesterday (Monday).