Eagles battle for starting shirts
Ahmed Musa, Ike Uche battle for shirts
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Nigeria resumed the battle for starting shirts against Namibia Thursday with
the coaches giving little away on who is in the main team.
Thursday’s training at the refurbished UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar started at about 3:40pm and saw the players involved in all manner of trainings, especially quick breaks, counter attacks and shooting, before coach Stephen Keshi decided it was time for an 11-a-side game.
Many had thought that will give away some of the players he intended to parade on Sunday, but that was never the case.
In goal, he started Warri Wolves shot stopper Chigozie Agbim on one side and later he brought in Vincent Enyeama, captain of the side and first choice goalie. Towering Israel-based goalkeeper 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 now recovered fully from an injury, were introduced on the side that many thought are the probables.
John Utaka, Victor Moses, Uche Kalu and Ikechukwu Uche interchanged at will in the centre of the attack.
And at some point, Sone Aluko and Sunday Mba also had their chance to impress, while Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obinna Nwachukwu ran the wings inter-changeably.
At the end of the day, it seemed only skipper Enyeama is guaranteed a starting spot as Keshi continued to juggle his team for the perfect mix in time for Sunday’s showdown.
NFF technical committee chairman Chris Green, who watched the training, praised the fighting spirit in the team and said the Eagles are set to re-launch Nigeria into international football prominence.
Thursday’s training at the refurbished UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar started at about 3:40pm and saw the players involved in all manner of trainings, especially quick breaks, counter attacks and shooting, before coach Stephen Keshi decided it was time for an 11-a-side game.
Many had thought that will give away some of the players he intended to parade on Sunday, but that was never the case.
In goal, he started Warri Wolves shot stopper Chigozie Agbim on one side and later he brought in Vincent Enyeama, captain of the side and first choice goalie. Towering Israel-based goalkeeper 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 now recovered fully from an injury, were introduced on the side that many thought are the probables.
John Utaka, Victor Moses, Uche Kalu and Ikechukwu Uche interchanged at will in the centre of the attack.
And at some point, Sone Aluko and Sunday Mba also had their chance to impress, while Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ejike Uzoenyi, Obinna Nwachukwu ran the wings inter-changeably.
At the end of the day, it seemed only skipper Enyeama is guaranteed a starting spot as Keshi continued to juggle his team for the perfect mix in time for Sunday’s showdown.
NFF technical committee chairman Chris Green, who watched the training, praised the fighting spirit in the team and said the Eagles are set to re-launch Nigeria into international football prominence.
Keshi! we are with you! Nigeria for Brazil 2014!! c'mon eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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