Mikel, Etebo Ruled Out Of Eagles Friendly Against Poland

Super Eagles Captain John Mikel Obi and midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo have been ruled out of the friendly match against Poland in Wroclaw on Friday.

While Mikel was said to be working hard at renewing his work permit in China, where he plays for Tianjin Teda, Etebo is injured. Another player to miss the game is Egypt-based Junior Ajayi, who was unable to secure visa into Poland.

The Super Eagles’ camp at Wroclaw in Poland on Tuesday bubbled with activities following the arrival of 22 players and the beginning of training sessions.

The team’s technical and backroom staff, alongside six players had opened the camp on Monday, it was on Tuesday the facility sprung into life with the arrival of 16 other players.

These include goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, as well as defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Stephen Eze, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem.

The rest are midfielders Joel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Uche Agbo and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Moses.

According to a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Communications Department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigeria-based goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi are expected on Wednesday.

 

Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor said: “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.”

Ajayi will now fly directly to London for Tuesday’s clash with Serbia in London, England.

The Super Eagles team trained twice on Tuesday.

The same schedule is planned for Wednesday, before Thursday’s training at match time inside the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw.

The match on Friday is expected to kick off at 8.45 p.m., with Nigeria and Poland on same time zone.