HOME-BASED players invited to the Super Eagles camp ahead of this month's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Pharaohs of Egypt have expressed confidence that they will make Nigeria proud. This is even, as interim head coach, Samson Siasia, barred three players; defender Segun Oduduwa and midfielders Stanley Dimgba and Usman Mohammed, from showing up at the Eagles' Bolton White Apartments camp in Abuja after they reported late to the camp of the U-23 team without permission. Eleven home-based players have reported to camp, while nine were still being expected as of the time of filing this report.

The Eagles' camp was initially scheduled to open on Sunday, but had to be shifted to Monday (yesterday) to enable the home-based players to feature for their respective clubs in the match day five of the Nigeria Premier League matches. Their foreign-based counterparts are expected to start arriving in camp as from Sunday, March 20. Team Media Officer, Toying Ibitoye, informed Tribunesport that the players were upbeat about making the cut for the Egypt game, adding that they were all determined to make the country proud in the AFCON qualifiers billed for Kaduna and Alexandria in Egypt.

"The players are happy to be back in camp and have expressed their readiness to make Nigeria and Nigerians proud in the coming matches against Egypt," he said. Meanwhile, Siasia had stated that the three players barred could not be allowed into the Eagles camp for their lateness, saying that what he was looking for in the players invited for the all-important qualifiers was the right mentality. “We cannot have those three in camp anymore. This is very serious business and only serious-minded persons can be involved. They reported late to the camp of the U-23 team, so they cannot be tolerated in the camp of the senior team.

“I have said it over the past few days that the right mentality would count big among the traits we are looking for in the players to feature against Egypt," Siasia said. As of the time of filing this, goalkeepers Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC) and Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC); Chima Akas (Akwa United); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves) and Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah) were still being expected in camp.