Uche, Enyeama won’t be punished

For reporting late to camp ahead of Saturday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match against Congo in Pointe-Noire, the duo of striker, Ikechukwu Uche and goal tender, Vincent Enyeama would not be punished by Nigeria’s head coach, Stephen Keshi.

Both players missed the team’s first training session at the goal project, Abuja after arriving the camp late on Monday.

As a stickler for team discipline, Keshi had obviously dropped Emmanuel Emenike for Nigeria’s 2015 Afcon qualifying game against Congo on September 6 in Calabar after the Fernabahce striker reported late to camp.

The duo have since blamed issues with their flights to Nigeria from European bases, as the reason for arriving late and Keshi, supersport.com has been informed, has accepted the explanations of the players.

Media officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya revealed that the players were warmly received by their teammates and coaches and will now train with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

“The players technically did not report late to camp. They only missed out on the team’s first training session because they had issues with their flights and did not come in at the planned time.

“Coach (Stephen) Keshi was duly informed about everything and there is no problem,” he said.

Enyeama will captain the Nigeria side on Saturday if he’s selected ahead of the two other goal keepers called up, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.

Uche on the other hand faces stiff competition to start on Saturday ahead of Fenarbahce man, Emenike.

The 30-year-old Uche last played for Nigeria on February 10, 2013 when the Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 to win the Afcon title in South Africa.

He was substituted in the 54th minute with CSKA Moscow winger, Ahmed Musa taking his place.

Uche has been capped 44 times for Nigeria at senior level and has scored 18 goals for the Super Eagles.