The Super Eagles resumed training Thursday evening at the new-look UJ Esuene Stadium in Calaba, the Cross River State capital, with the technical crew giving nothing away on the likely 11 players that will start Sunday’s game against Namibia.
The training which started at about 3:40pm, saw the players involved in all manner of drills, especially quick breaks, counter-attacks and blinder shots, before Head Coach Stephen Keshi decided it was time for 11-aside .
Many had thought that would give away some of the players he intended to parade on Sunday, but that was never the case. In goal he started Chigozie Agbim on one side and later he brought in Vincent Enyeama, captain of the side and first choice goalie. Towering Israeli based goalie, Austin Ejide, was all alone on the right side of the pitch.
In the defence, Godfrey Oboabona, Juwon Oshaniwa and Azubuike Egwueke, were thought to have won themselves shirts, but that was never the case as Gege Soriola and Papa Idris, who has just recovered fully from knocks were introduced on the side that many thought were the probables.
John Utaka, Victor Moses, Kalu Uche and Ikechukwu Uche, interchanged at will in the centre of the attack. At some point, Sone Aluko and Sunday Mba also had their bite of the cake, while, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obinna Nwachukwu ran the wings inter-changeably. At the end of the day, it seems only Enyeama, is sure of a shirt, as Keshi continues to juggle his team, wishing for the perfect mix that should make the national team thick again come Sunday.
NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Christopher Green, who watched the training, praised the level of fighting spirit in the team and concluded that the UJ Esuene Stadium, with the turf he has seen looks ready to re-launch Nigeria into international football prominence.
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No starting 11 for Eagles yet