Afcon: Eagles arrive Jo’burg, begin training

After a comprehensive 4-1 semi-final victory over Aiglons of Mali on Wednesday in Durban, the Super Eagles have quickly put the victory behind them as the team arrived Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday afternoon to begin preparations for the final on Sunday at the Soccer City in Soweto.

The team arrived Johannesburg at about 1:45pm local time aboard a South Africa Airway plane. In the plane with the team

were NFF Executive Committee member, Deji Tinubu, Technical Director, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Special Adviser to Lagos state Governor, Prince Wale Oladunjoye among other dignitaries.

Nigerian players pose prior to the 2013 African Cup of Nations semi-final football match Mali vs Nigeria on February 6, 2013 in Durban. (LtoR, up to bottom) Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mikel, (Nigeria’s forward Brown Ideye, Nigeria’s defender Kenneth Omeruo, Nigeria’s forward Emmanuel Emenike, Nigeria’s defender Godfrey Oboabona, Nigeria’s defender Efe Ambrose, Nigeria’s midfielder Victor Moses, Nigeria’s forward Sunday Mba, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Nigeria’s midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, Nigeria’s defender Elderson Echiejile AFP PHOTO

The team was immediately ferried to its abode at Garden Court Milpark from the airport and after having  lunch, got set for the day’s business of training.

The team had its first training session at 6.30pm local time yesterday, with Head Coach Stephen Keshi saying there was no time to waste ahead of Sunday’s all important final which is expected to be watched by several Nigerian and international dignitaries including Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma.

Keshi has meanwhile, said there should be no panic over the duo of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, who picked up knocks in the semi-final duel against Mali.

“The medical team here is working round the clock to ensure that they will be ready for the final on Sunday and they will advise us on what to do at the appropriate time”, he said.

NFF President Aminu Maigari, has meanwhile assured that the entire nation of Nigeria will be mobilized to back the team in Sunday’s final and urged the team not to rest on its oars until the trophy is won.

“The win over Ivory Coast is history, same for the one over Mali, now the trophy is within reach and I must urge you to go ahead and do the nation proud and like President Goodluck Jonathan said , leave the rest to the government and people of Nigeria.