Seattle Sounders' Obafemi Martins arrived in the Super Eagles camp on Wednesday, for the first time since 2013, ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland.
'Obagoal' landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja at about 5:30am on Wednesday morning via Bristish Airways and later arrived at the Abuja camp at about 6:35am, according to Toyin Ibitoye, the Super Eagles media officer.
Ibitoye said, that the Sounders' forward was well recieved by players and officials at the Bolton White Apartment.
On Tuesday evening, the spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation,
Ademola Olajire had informed Goal, that the striker's late arrival was due to the strike embarked upon by workers of Lufthansa Airlines, which was booked for the players. He said the NFF had to quickly re-book for British Airways.
The 31-year-old last played in a World Cup qualifier under former coach Stephen Keshi in 2013. The veteran forward had earlier admitted plans to retire from international duties after he was ingnored by the former Super Eagles coach.
The Sounders striker who made his international debut a decade ago has scored 18 goals in 39 appearances and has been in top form this year netting 15 goals so far for the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit.
Martins arrived in the company of Lazio's Ogenyi Onazi and Portugal-based Shehu Abdullahi on Wednesday to complete the 24-man squad of invited players by coach Sunday Oliseh.
Already in camp are captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu, defenders Efe Ambrose, Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Jamiu Alimi, Kalu Orji, Godfrey Oboabona, Wilfred Ndidi and Elderson Echiejile.
Others are midfielders Paul Onobi, John Mikel Obi, Sylvester Igbonu and Rabiu Ibrahim, and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ezekiel Bassey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
The Nigerian delegation are expected to depart Abuja via a chartered flight, an ARIK Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 7am on Thursday.
Upon arrival at the Matsapha International Airport, the Super Eagles’ players and officials will stay at The Sun Hotels, while the official training will be at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba by 7pm on Thursday.
The match between the Super Eagles and the Sihlangu Somnikati will kick off at 7pm on Friday, 13th November.
Four days later, the return leg will hold in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 17th November, with the winner progressing into the third round of World Cup qualifiers.
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