International friendlies: Back injury knocks out Bassey, Ndidi arrives

International Friendlies:

Back injury knocks out Bassey, Ndidi arrives

PIX: Bassey

The coming into town of team captain Wilfred Ndidi on Wednesday afternoon drew the curtain on expected arrivals in the abode of the Super Eagles in Antalya, Turkey ahead of two international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan.

All the 22 expected players joined the team’s first training on Wednesday evening, after it was confirmed that centre-back Calvin Bassey would not be coming, having pulled out as a result of injury.

Head Coach Eric Chelle will have to make do with the group of 22, as he plots his tactics and strategies for Friday’s encounter against Iran. The two countries have met only twice previously at senior level, with Nigeria winning one and the other drawn.

On Friday, Coach Chelle will have a mix of the wise old heads and the ambitious youth to pick from, with 96-cap Alex Iwobi and 95-cap Moses Simon embedded in his squad. There are also captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and forwards Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze.

Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke are established in the family, but defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez and forwards Collins Yira Sor and Philip Otele are stepping into the patio for the first time.

The clash with Iran’s Team Melli starts at 4pm Turkey time (2pm Nigeria time) on Friday, while the encounter with the Jordan senior men’s team will kick off at 8pm Turkey time (6pm Nigeria time) on Tuesday, March 31.

Super Eagles players in camp:

Ademola Lookman 

Akor Adams

Samuel Chukwueze

Alex Iwobi

Frank Onyeka

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Paul Onuachu 

Moses Simon 

Semi Ajayi

Francis Uzoho

Maduka Okoye 

Adebayo Adeleye

Bruno Onyemaechi

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Igoh Ogbu

Zaidu Sanusi 

Raphael Onyedika

Chidera Ejuke

Wilfred Ndidi

Philip Otele

Yira Sor 

Emmanuel Fernandez