Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, Saudi Arabia-based striker Odion Ighalo and Watford trio William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis are the first players to hit the Abuja camp of the national team ahead of the crucial Qatar 2022 World Cup final qualifier against Ghana.
The three Watford players, along with Ighalo, flew into Abuja from Lagos Sunday night and will be in camp early on Monday (today).
Other players expected in camp later today are Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Abdulahi Shehu, Maduka Okoye, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Ola Aina.
Others are Samuel Chukwueze, Zaidu Sanusi, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho and Daniel Akpeyi.
Watford midfielder Etebo told the media on arrival that “We have a job to do and we have the quality to get past Ghana, but we have be wary of them as well.”
Meanwhile, Almeria striker Sadiq Umar has been exempted and will arrive in camp on Tuesday.
Almeria, who are fighting for promotion to the Spanish topflight, have an important clash against Tenerife today, same day the striker was expected to join up with his national teammates and the Segunda side have sought the consent of the Nigeria Football Federation to allow the player take part in the game before travelling to Nigeria.
Nigeria travel to Kumasi on Wednesday for the first leg of their mouth-watering encounter against the Black Stars on Friday, before hosting their archrivals four days later at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Head coach Austin Eguavoen invited 32 players, which includes seven on standby, to execute the game for a place at the World Cup in Qatar.
Eguavoen, it was learnt, would reduce the squad to a 23-man list.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi is ruled out of the clash after copping a knee injury in the Foxes Europa League game against Rennes on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, who will be out for at least three weeks, has been replaced by Innocent Bonke.