Port Harcourt – A 35-man contingent of the National U-23 football team will arrive Port Harcourt on July 6, ahead of their Olympic qualifying match against Congo on July 19.
Mr Timi Ebikaboro, Media Officer of the team, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on phone from Abuja on Friday that the contingent include 25 players and 10 officials.
He however said that some of the players have been allowed to play for their clubs in the GLO Nigeria Premier league this weekend.
‘’ For now, the information at our disposal is that we are leaving for Port Harcourt on Monday, July 6th.
‘’ We will arrive with 25 players and 10 back room staff. We cannot say for now who will arrive on Monday because some of the players will play for their clubs this weekend,’’ he said.
Ebikaboro said the team had prepared very well for the match with Congo which would be its fifth competitive game.
‘’ Basically by our records, we have always prepared well for all our matches. This will be our fifth competitive game. We are working round the clock to ensure that we do things the right way and get things done properly,’’ he said.
According to the media officer, the mood among players is that of apprehension because nobody knows who will make the final 18-man team for the match.
“That tells a lot about the capacity in the team, because we are working round the clock to see that we pick a good side to do the country proud, to win well and make sure that the return leg in Cong is a mere formality,” he said.
