Moses available for Mandela Challenge

Victor Moses

Chelsea attacker Victor Moses has confirmed that he’s available for the Mandela Challenge. The one-day trophy challenge between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles is billed for August 14 in Durban.

Eagles officials confirmed in Abuja on Sunday that Moses was the first player to put a call through to the team coach, Stephen Keshi to say he would be available and hopes to be among the first set of players to arrive in South Africa for the game. The player did not feature for the country at the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil last June on account of injury. He may have opted to clear the air early about his participation in case of any doubts.


Moses and his Eagles team mate Mikel Obi are still on the tour of the USA with their club. Chelsea will take on AC Milan on Monday in continuation of the trip.
On Sunday Moses commented on the match via his Twitter handle, “Just had some food and relaxing before the game. Looking forward to it.”

But Moses is not the only player to have indicated interest in the game set for the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban to celebrate world statesman Dr. Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

Reports from the Eagles camp in Abuja proved that returnee Obinna Nsofor has been making frantic enquiries about his call-up to the national team and has also promised to be early for the game.
Other players who have reached out to the team about the friendly so far include Lazio of Italy midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye. Nerves are calmer now in Abuja after earlier indication that Russian club Spartak Moscow may not be too keen to release Emmanuel Emenike who has not played for the country since the February Africa Nations Cup triumph.

And in reaction to Spartak position the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation Mr. Musa Amadu has said Nigeria would use every legal means to secure the player’s release.
All the players are expected to be in for the game by Sunday, August 11 in South Africa.

In Durban, the organisers of the match have said everything was going on as planned. Bafana’s coach, Gordan Igesund, told newsmen by the weekend that the match would provide the needed challenge for his team as they prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Botswana on Sept. 7.
“In honouring the great Nelson Mandela, of course, Stephen Keshi will be bringing a formidable team here and that’s going to be an absolutely fantastic challenge for us.
 “I think we are up for the challenge. By Keshi bringing that team that he brought here during the Africa Cup of Nations, it shows how much respect the rest of the world has for Nelson Mandela.’’

News Source: Punchng.com

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