13th March, 2013
Information filtering in from the Abuja camp of the Super Eagles, who are currently preparing for the World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya, has it that the home-based players are playing to impress Chief Coach Stephen Keshi to enable them make the final squad for the 23 March game in Calabar, Cross River State.
With some of the players either ruled out because of injury or continental assignments for their club, P.M.NEWS Sports gathered from their train yesterday and early today that the players in camp are battling to impress the technical crew to justify their invitation.
“You have to see how the players are performing in camp. They are playing as if it was even the World Cup qualifier. This is good because it would create healthy rivalry in the team when the foreign-based stars hit camp this weekend,” the source said.
Media Officer of the team, Ben Alaiya, who spoke on Brila FM early today that “the training sessions have been intense and very physical, with emphasis on quick and simple play. Yesterday’s session lasted for about two hours with all the five coaches in attendance.”
Despite this good showing at training, Coach Keshi is not impressed with the local players’ performance. He said: “I called in 15 professionals because the Nigeria Professional Football League has just kicked off and the players may be match rusty. I don’t want to risk any chance because we want to consolidate on our Nations Cup triumph in South Africa against Kenya in Calabar.”
Meanwhile, one of the invited professionals, Krybas FC winger Michael Babatunde has disclosed he will arrive the Eagles training camp on Monday.
According to him “My club has given me the clearance to join the Eagles camp on the Monday, 18 March.”
—Adebobola Alawode