Only Mikel, Moses, Musa and Ogu yet to report to Eagles camp in Uyo as training intensifies

ONLY four players including skipper Mikel Obi and Victors Moses are yet to report to the Super Eagles camp in Uyo as preparations for Monday's pre-World Cup friendly against the Democratic Republic of Congo move into top gear.

Like all the other 31 countries participating in this summer's World Cup, Nigeria is playing pre-tournament friendly matches to get the team ready for the tournament. On May 28, the Super Eagles will face DR Congo in Port Harcourt before jetting out to London to face England at Wembley on June 2 and then the Czech Republic in Austria on June 6.

Head coach Gernot Rohr has submitted a provisional list of 30 players to Fifa and before the tournament starts, he will have to prune this down to 23. As of yesterday, all of the players were in camp at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort in Uyo, bar Mikel, Moses, Ahmed Musa and midfielder John Ogu.

Moses has been granted an extension to stay in London following his club's recent victory in the English FA Cup and the other trio are expected today. Yesterday, the team engaged in light training exercises, with more intensive stuff expected to commence today.

Amkar Perm of Russia left-back Brian Idowu expressed his appreciation to Nigeria and coach Rohr for giving him the opportunity to play international football and represent the country at the World Cup. Mixed-race Idowu, 26, said his Nigerian father would be proud of him for choosing to represent his fatherland.

Idowu added: “It’s been a remarkable experience for me. One minute nobody knew me and the next I have the chance to play at the World Cup, which is more like a dream for me, so I will give my best always in order to justify the confidence of the coaches.

“My father’s from Nigeria and I know he’s always going to be proud of me. Besides Nigeria gave me the opportunity to play for the national team and I will be forever grateful for that.”

Born of a Russian mother, Idowu is also eligible to play for the European country but he claimed the decision to play for Nigeria was a very easy one to make for him. Idowu made his international debut for the Super Eagles in last November’s friendly international game against Argentina and scored one of the goals in a 4-2 win.