by crossriverwatch admin
The Super Eagles will fly into Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Monday for their final preparations ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
Coach Stephen Keshi has been working with 24 home boys in Abuja since Tuesday, with the overseas-based legion expected to hit town this weekend.
A selection of the home boys and the Europe-based contingent will make the trip to the Canaan City, where the African champions will be lodged at Transcorp Hotels, formerly Metropolitan Hotel.
The Nigeria Football Federation also disclosed on Thursday that Scotland-based defender, Efe Ambrose, will not be part of the contingent as he is on suspension as a result of accumulated yellow cards from previous World Cup qualifying matches.
Ambrose got a yellow card against Namibia in Calabar in June last year and was also yellow-carded in the game away to Malawi in Blantyre same month.
World football governing body, FIFA, has appointed Botswanan official, Joshua Bondo, to take charge of the match, from which the Super Eagles need the three points to solidify their leadership of Group F.
Officials confirmed on Thursday that Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, will be presented with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in his office on the evening of March 21.
President of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, will lead the Super Eagles delegation to the Government House.
It has also been confirmed that following assurance of security by the Cross River State Government, the trophy will be on display at the U. J. Esuene Stadium for the duration of the World Cup qualifying match.
The Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, will join Governor Imoke, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Head of the Kenyan delegation and other dignitaries at the VVIP Box.
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