Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Greece-based Brown Ideye top the list of the players who departed the country on Tuesday for France ahead of the Super Eagles’ friendly game against Mali on Friday. Others are goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Monaco defender Elderson Echiejile, Musa Muhammed, Abdullahi Shehu, Kingsley Madu, Etebo Oghenekaro and Aminu Umar.
Nigeria face Mali at Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen on Friday before traveling to Luxembourg City to take on tiny European nation Luxembourg at the Josy Barthel Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that assistant coaches Imama Amapakabo and Kennedy Boboye made the trip to France.
The NFF said on its official website Carl Ikeme, Daniel Akpeyi, Kenneth Omeruo, Gbenga Arokoyo, Leon Balogun, Wilfred Ndidi, Raheem Lawal, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi were expected in the team’s camp in France on Wednesday.
Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa were excluded from the two fixtures as they will play in Friday’s testimonial match to honour former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo in Port Harcourt.