Mikel doubtful, Etebo injured as Super Eagles begin training ahead of pre-World cup friendly against Poland

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- Nigeria's Super Eagles begin training as 22 players hit camp for pre-World Cup friendly against Russia

- The team's captain Mikel Obi could miss the clash due to work permit issues in China

- Las Palmas midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo is injured and would play no part in the game while Egypt-based Junior Ajayi will also miss out over his inability to secure visa into Poland

At least 22 players have arrived at the Super Eagles’ Radisson Blu Hotel camp in Wroclaw, Poland, ahead of the pre-World cup friendly against the European nation.

NAIJ.com gathered that the technical and backroom staff, alongside six players opened the camp on Monday, March 19, but the facility exploded into life with the arrival of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Stephen Eze, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Joel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Uche Agbo and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Moses on Tuesday, March 20.

Mikel doubtful, Etebo injured as Super Eagles prepare to face Poland

Nigeria Super Eagles begin training in Poland ahead of their clash on Friday. Photo credit: Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON), team Coordinator Super Eagles

However, Nigeria-based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi are expected on Wednesday, March 21, while skipper Mikel John Obi is unlikely to make it to Wroclaw as he has been working hard at renewing his work permit in China, where he plays for Tianjin Teda.

22 Nigerian players begin training in Poland ahead of their clash on Friday. Photo credit: Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON), team Coordinator Super Eagles

Dayo Enebi Achor, the Super Eagles administrator told thenff.com on Tuesday, March 20: “We all had been hoping that the renewal would come in good time for him to fly to Poland. As it is now, it is not likely that he would make the trip.”

Midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo is injured, and Egypt-based Junior Ajayi, who was unable to secure visa into Poland, will fly directly to London for Tuesday’s clash with Serbia at The Hive, Canons Park.

Nigerian players begin training in Poland ahead of their clash on Friday. Photo credit: Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON), team Coordinator Super Eagles

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The team trained twice on Tuesday, March 20, with the same schedule for Wednesday, March 21, before Thursday’s training at match time inside the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.

The match kicks off at 8.45pm (Nigeria and Poland are on same time zone) on Friday, March 23.

Ebuehi, Rohr in the cut. Photo credit: Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON), team Coordinator Super Eagles

The game inside the 43,000 capacity stadium will formally open the first phase of the Super Eagles’ preparation for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals, taking place in the Russia between June 14 – July 15.

After Friday’s game, the Super Eagles will face Serbia in London on Tuesday, March 27 before they play a send forth match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Nigeria in May.

Super Eagles players begin training in Poland ahead of their clash on Friday. Photo credit: Mr. Pascal Patrick (MON), team Coordinator Super Eagles

The three-time African champions will then fly back to London for a prestige clash England’s Three Lions at Wembley on June 2.

Backroom crew of the Senior National Football Team

Four days later, they come up against the Czech Republic at their final training camp in Austria, and another friendly game is on the cards before the squad jets out to the World Cup finals on June 11.

Nigeria’s team base camp at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals is located in Yessentuki, Stavropol territory in the southern region of Russia.

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