Date Of Article: 3/27/2003
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Nigeria’s trumpcards arrive
By: Garry Chirwa
Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu said on Thursday afternoon that he was expecting at least six foreign-based players to arrive in Blantyre last night ahead of Saturday’s Group A explosive Africa Nations Cup qualifier against the Flames. Speaking from Mount Soche Hotel where the Super Eagles are accommodated, Chukwu said: “I am expecting six Europe-based players to jet in tonight.” However, Chukwu could not disclose the names of his foreign legion because he said he was attending a meeting at the time. “I am in a technical meeting right now if you can call me later, I should be able to give you the names.” But Thursday’s This Day newspaper of Nigeria, quoted Nigerian Football Association (NFA) spokesman Sam Kaalu as saying most of the players were in Lagos as of Tuesday morning. “We have Joseph Yobo, Ifeanyi Udeze, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Chukwudi Nworgu here,” Kalu was quoted as saying adding: “We expect Jay-Jay Okocha to arrive later tonight to join the others and they will all leave with the secretary general to Malawi later tonight.” Kaalu also explained that French-based striker John Utaka called to say he missed his flight, but said they were expecting him to arrive in time to join the others while Joseph Enakharise would fly straight to Blantyre from Belgium. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have tumbled one place down the ladder from 29th to 30th in the latest Coca Cola Fifa rankings released on Wednesday. The Flames sustained position 99 after a goalless draw against Zimbabwe’s Warriors and a two-all draw and 3-2 loss to DRC. The Flames are ranked 20th on the continent and fifth in Cosafa after South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola.
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