Super Eagles officials heaved sigh of relief yesterday as Sunday Mba joined the team’s camp in London, on time for the trip to Philadelphia, United States of America, in preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The African Champions arrived the American city at lunch time after seven hours flight from London yesterday morning. The African champions’ next friendly game is against Greece next Tuesday.
The Former Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers midfielder was among the fans at the Craven Cottage that watched his teammates dig out a 2-2 draw against Scotland. With the arrival of Mba all the 30 players are now complete in camp.
The Africa Cup of Nations hero who was thought to have missed the World Cup party after two days of absence, revealed that he had visa issuance problems which accounted for his late coming, adding that Coach Stephen Keshi was aware of the development.
Reacting to the development, Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, said when it was discovered that Mba had an expired visa it was decided that it should be quickly renewed in Abuja and so the United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria was informed.
“They were ready to do the job on time for the player to be with his teammates but his club wanted him in France and so he had to leave but we also made contact with the United Kingdom High Commission in France and they helped facilitate his quick arrival here.
“We must thank both commissions in Abuja and Paris for their help and wish them the best even as we hope to extend any hand of fellowship that they may need in the future”, Enebi explained.
Keshi revealed that the final list of 23 players will be unveiled on June 2, on time to beat FIFA deadline for the release of the final list of players who will take part in Mundial 2014.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender, Kunle Odunlami, has shaken off the injury he suffered in Wednesday's international friendly against Scotland in London.
The Sunshine Stars centre-back, who played as a right-back in the World Cup warm-up, had to be replaced by Efe Ambrose for the last quarter of an hour.
"He is very fine. Kunle Odunlami is a very strong player. He is now walking fine without any problem. The team doctor told me he has checked him and said it is just a slight knock and nothing serious. So he is good to go.
"During the CHAN (African Nations Championship) in South Africa earlier this year, he suffered the same injury in one of the games but quickly recovered to continue in the tournament," Eagles’ spokesman, Ben Alaiya, revealed yesterday.
Odunlami made the trip to Philadelphia, USA with the rest of the provisional squad members after the scare that he might have suffered a serious injury.
"I spoke to the coach (Stephen Keshi) and he also confirmed Kunle Odunlami is fine and will travel with the team to the United States. As I speak to you, my luggage and his luggage are being checked in for the trip," Alaiya said telephone from the departure hall of the airport yesterday.
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