Nigeria regroup in London ahead of England friendly

The Nigeria football team have arrived here ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against England at the Wembley on Saturday, with Chelsea FC star Victor Moses joining his teammates in camp.

The Nigerian side departed Abuja, the country's capital, for London on Wednesday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, reports Xinhua news agency.

Buhari had called on the national team to go for gold at next month's FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The president, while receiving the team in Abuja, also urged the players to "play fair and clean football" at the World Cup tournament.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a statement reaching Xinhua confirmed Moses' arrival, saying that all the expected Eagles players are in camp now.

"Victor Moses has joined the team in camp. Everybody is in now," the NFF said.

With Moses, the team now has 26 players in camp, including the doubtful Moses Simon who is battling with a thigh injury.

Moses who won the Emirates FA Cup with Chelsea should be in contention for a starting place when the Eagles face England.

Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has dropped the quartet of goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye, defender Stephen Eze, midfielder Uche Agbo, as well as local league hotshot Junior Lokosa, as he pruned his list to 24 players.

The Franco-German had earlier revealed that five players would be dropped from the cut but injury to winger Moses Simon opened up for probably one new inclusion, with Rohr opting for FC Crotone of Italy striker Simeon Nwankwo for the final 23-man squad that will fly to Russia in the coming days.

Standard Liege midfielder Uche Agbo was dropped after he did not feature in any of the qualifiers, whilst Nigerian league goal banger Lokosa also missed out.

--IANS

ajb/