Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has declared his side are 100 per cent fit for Saturday’s decisive Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier away in Congo.
The Super Eagles must post a resounding victory in their penultimate Afcon 2015 qualifier against the ‘Red Devils’ in Point Noire to stand a chance of defending the title it won in South Africa last year.
There were reported injury concerns in the camp of the African champions, but the 52-year-old tactician notified news men on Friday that the squad is in “perfect shape”.
“Mikel is super fit, Eneyema (Vincent), had a slight shoulder strain and he’s also in perfect shape now,” said Keshi. “Raheem Lawal had knock during our last training session and he has since bounced back.
“So we should stop scaring Nigerians with reports that the team is injury hit.”
The African champions will take to the astro turf pitch at the Stade Omnisport (venue of Saturday cracker) later on Friday have a feel of the unfamiliar facility.
The team led by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick arrived in Point Noire 2:30am (same time as Nigeria) on Friday via a chartered Discovery Air Boeing 737-400 flight. And after passing through immigration duties as well as ebola tests, were checked into the Atlantic Palace Hotel in the heart of the Congolese city.
On coach Keshi’s request, a full squad of 25 players- including probable and doubtful starters- embarked on the journey, joined by media men, Sen Adamu Gumba and Hon Mudashiru Oyetunde, chairmen of the Senate and House Committee on Sports.
Nigerian resident in Congo stayed awake to welcome their heroes, drumming, singing and dancing to delightful tunes. They were joined by Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, led by Rauf Ladipo.
It was a lively atmosphere at the airport as Congolese immigration officers and supporters mobbed the playing and coaching staff for photographs.
Kick-off time: 3:30pm (same in Nigeria)
