All is set for the Libyan national team to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, on Thursday, ahead of their crucial double-header against Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed in a statement.
Both sides first clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Saturday, with the reverse fixture scheduled for the Stade Taieb Mhiri, Sfax, Tunisia, three days later.
According to a statement from the NFF Communications Department, the Libyan Football Federation confirmed on Monday that a 54-man delegation comprising players, technical crew, backroom staff and LFF officials will fly into Ibom International Airport, Uyo, aboard a chartered aircraft on Thursday.
Match officials from DR Congo, as well as the Referee Assessor from Mali and the Security Officer from South Africa, will also arrive in Lagos on Thursday and then fly to Uyo on Friday morning, the statement added.
The Mediterranean Knghts top Group E with four points (from their defeat of Seychelles and draw with South Africa), while Bafana Bafana (winner over Nigeria before they drew with Libya) are second and Nigeria, who lost to South Africa and defeated Seychelles, lie third.
Meanwhile, stand-in captain Ahmed Musa and 21 other invited Super Eagles have arrived in Uyo, ahead of the double-header.
The arrivals enabled coach Gernot Rohr and his crew to organise a full training session on Tuesday evening, as the three-time African champions prepare to pick all three points from the Group E leaders.
Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi, as well as defenders William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Leon Balogun, Olaoluwa Aina, Jamilu Collins, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem and Kenneth Omeruo are among those at the Ibom Meridien Hotels and Resort.
Others are midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Kalu, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo, and forwards Isaac Success, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Only Russia-based wing back Bryan Idowu and China-based striker Odion Ighalo are expected to arrive camp on Wednesday.
Credit: punchng.com
