The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday said the Super Eagles would open camp in Abuja on Sunday, Oct. 6 for preparations against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.
Musa Amadu, the association’s Secretary-General, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Nigeria could not afford to take things for granted in the crucial World Cup playoff.
The first leg tie of the 2014 Brazil World Cup Playoff between Nigeria and Ethiopia will hold in Addis Ababa on Sunday, October 13.
Amadu said the Eagles would be expected to train in Abuja from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11, before departing for Addis Ababa aboard a chartered flight on Oct. 12.
He said the NFA was liaising with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to make the Abuja National Stadium available for the Eagles to train in.
“This game is very critical to us and we are giving it all the seriousness it deserves.
“We are doing all we can to secure entry visas for the delegation and team officials before departure.
“You know the Ethiopians are eager to qualify for their first-ever World Cup finals and, because they are playing against the African champions, they will prepare seriously,’’ Amadu said.
He added that arrangements had been made for the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia to meet with the country’s advance party in Addis Ababa, before the arrival of the main delegation.
“This will enable the Nigerian contingent to put all necessary requirements in place before the match, so as to enhance Nigeria’s chances of picking the maximum points at stake,’’ the NFA secretary-general said.
He disclosed also that the NFA was working towards making the return leg game in Calabar on Nov. 16 an easy game for Nigeria.
It would be recalled that Super Eagles’ head coach Stephen Keshi had on Sept. 20 released a 23-man list for the Oct. 13 match against Ethiopia.
There were no new additions to the squad which defeated Malawi 2-0 in Calabar, as Keshi decided to stick with the same team which secured the playoff berth.
The list has goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, as well as strikers Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwofor.
The defenders are Elderson Echiejile, Francis Benjamin, Efe Ambrose, Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and James Okwuosa.
The invited midfielders are Mikel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Nosa Igiebor, Victor Moses, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamad