Academica Coimbra of Portugal midfielder, John Ogu, gave Nigeria the lead with a long range shot that was deflected into the net
Browsing: Super Eagles
The Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi, has also opted to cap Werder Bremen forward, Joseph Akpala, to pair Brown Ideye in the Eagles attack
Attah’s words: “It is a battle of two continental champions.
“So it is going to be a tough game but we believe our boys will teach the Mexicans some football lessons
Onazi told The Eagle Online on Thursday from the Super Eagles camp in Houston, Texas, United States of America ahead of Friday’s friendly against Mexico: “I thank God for the grace
Speaking with The Eagle Online from Huston, Texas on Wednesday, the AFCON 2013 winning coach believes the Mexican friendly will afford him the opportunity to assess new players ahead of the World Cup qualifying ties against Kenya and Namibia
After Airport formalities, the team arrived its Westin Galleries Hotel in west Alabama, Huston at 4.20 pm local time, had lunch and trained at 7.30pm (1.30am Nigeria time)
The midfielders are: Emeka Ezeh, Sunday Mba and John Ogu and forwards Nnamdi Oduamadi, Joseph Akpala, Anthony Ujah, Gambo Muhammed, Obinna Nwachukwu, Gomo Onduku and Michael Babatunde
With the latest injury sustained by the midfielder, the Super Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi, will be forced to look elsewhere to fortify the national team after losing Fegor Ogude, Nosa Igiebor to various degrees of injury and Chelsea’s midfielder, John Obi Mikel, will not be available for the Mexican tie
Obi, who spoke to Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, said he would be at the Embassy of Brazil in London on May 27 for his visa
Defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile, as well as midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi are expected in camp on Thursday
In a brief chat with The Eagle Online on his arrival in Nuremburg, Ogu said he was excited by the warm reception he got from the techical crew and other members of the national team
Oboabona said: “We have just concluded the first training of the day and everyone is looking ready for the game
Akpala, who was invited as a replacement for injured AFCON 2013 high goal banger, Emmanuel Emenike, told The Eagle Online that he has been hungry for success with the national team
Keshi, however believes that his team would continue to grow in strength and maturity
The Bury of England star added that Green Eagles’ captain, Chief Segun Odegbami, and England legend, Ian Wright, will take charge as managers of the African and the Caribbean teams respectively
The Super Eagles will play against Kenya on June 5 and Namibia on June 12 before proceeding to Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup from June 15 to June 30
Algeria’s Djamel Haimoudi is the only African referee picked for the tournament while his country man, Abdelhak Etchiali, and Morocco’s Redouane Achik were selected as assistant referees
The tournament will feature the winners of each of FIFA’s regional competitions and hosts, Brazil, as they prepare to stage the 2014 World Cup
Among the largesse the players are still hoping to get are those of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whom many said has been too busy to even remember that he pledged $1 million to the all-conquering Super Eagles after they won the African Cup of Nations
He said: “Sampdoria is a solid side and we so much have respect for them. So, it is going to be an interesting game as we are ready to give it our all
The Coach Stephen Keshi-led team move three places to occupy the 28 spot in the world, just as they are fourth on the continent behind Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Mali