Eagles train in Essentuki, off to Kaliningrad Thursday

The Super Eagles have settled down nicely at their Sanatorium Istochnik Hotel, Essentuki team base camp at the FIFA World Cup and had their first training (open session) on Tuesday starting from 5pm Russian time,National Daily learnt.

A delegation of 23 players and technical and administrative staff flew by executive jet from Vienna to Essentuki Airport in South West Russia on Monday, arriving at a few minutes after 10pm.

Large gatherings of people showed excitement at seeing the three –time African champions arrive in very Nigerian buba-and-sokoto uniform sown in Nigerian colours, complemented with white bowler hats. Essentuki is located in the Stavropol region of southern Russia.

There was a brief airport reception coordinated by staff of the Local Organizing Committee and the world football –governing body, FIFA. At the hotel, a welcome reception organized by the Governor of Essentuki, the Minister of Sports in the Stavropol region and the Manager of Sanatorium Istochnik also held.

On Tuesday morning, FIFA and LOC conducted the team arrival meeting, ahead of the training session in the evening.

The Super Eagles will train again on Wednesday evening, before flying to Kaliningrad on Thursday for their first match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Croatia on Saturday at the 35,000 –capacity Kaliningrad Arena. Departure from Kaliningrad is set for 4pm Russia time.