Moses, Iwobi absent as Eagles hold first training session

Super Eagles’ forwards, Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, were among players conspicuously absent as the team held their first training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Eagles are preparing to face the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday in Uyo in an all-important 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
According to the official twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation, the Eagles’ first training session saw a total of 19 players taking part.
The two-hour training session began at about 4.30 p.m. and ended at 6.30 p.m.
The players who took part in the training include: Dele Ajiboye, Elderson Echiejile, John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme, Oghenekaro Etebo and Ikechukwu Ezenwa who arrived at the team’s camp on Monday afternoon.
Also around were team captain, Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu, Wilfred Ndidi and birthday boy Kelechi Iheanacho who arrived late on Monday.
Trabzonspor FC of Turkey midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, Olaoluwa Aina and Chidozie Awaziem who arrived on Tuesday also participated in the training.
NAN also reports that two players on the team’s standby list, home-based Afeez Aremu and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, were also part of the training.
Among those missing from the training session were Iwobi and Moses Simon who arrived at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Chelsea winger Moses was yet to arrive at the team’s camp at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort as at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Eagles are expected to hold another open training session on Wednesday, including two more closed sessions on Thursday and Friday.
A pre-match press parley is also scheduled to hold at Le Meridien on Thursday by 11.30 a.m. ahead of the match on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Onazi was quoted on the NFF twitter handle as saying the team would give its all to ensure victory against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday
“We will give it all it takes as far as football is concerned” -@OnaziOgenyi #NGAZAM #SoarSuperEagles.
The NFF also took time to congratulate Iheanacho on the occasion of his birthday on Tuesday.
“Happy birthday @NGSuperEagles forward @67Kelechi. Keep shining!’’, the Federation wrote.