Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi

The Super Eagles camp bubbled into life Sunday evening when almost all the 26 players and officials arrived the Bolton White Apartment camp of the team ahead of the friendly against the Menas of Niger Republic scheduled for Niamey on August 15.

The game is a preparatory encounter for the September 8 Nations Cup qualifier cliff-hanger against the Lone Star of Liberia.

The only players still expected in camp by Monday are the Sunshine Stars trio of Godfrey Oboabona, Izu Azuka and goalkeeper Moses Ocheje, who were in action for their club in the CAF Champions League game against an Algerian opposition. Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, who just returned from a trip outside the country led by example when he arrived camp on Saturday to await other officials and players.

Keshi with his trade mark disarming smiles welcomed all the players with a stern admonition that the business of qualifying for the Nations Cup has started and only the best will be picked for the encounter against Liberia, whether home or foreign-based.

From the players agile Warri Wolves shot stopper, Chigozie Agbim, who has been captaining the side in the absence of the foreign legion, led his assistant Azubuike Egwueke also of Wolves to the camp early enough along with all other invited players.

“We are here again, happy to be reunited but most importantly its serious business as we want to qualify for the Nations Cup and the World Cup at all cost,” he said.

The team will commence training at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium on Monday evening to allow for the arrival of all the players.

For now training which lasts between 2-3 hours has been pegged at once in a day but is expected to be doubled as the days for the games against Niger and Liberia draw nearer.