2nd June, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
There is tension in the camp of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Philadelphia, United States as the players await the list of 23-man squad which Coach Stephen Keshi will make public today.
Media Officer of the Eagles, Ben Alaiya who spoke on Brila FM early today gave an insight into the team’s camp as he said that though Keshi told the players yesterday that if he had the chance, he would have taken all the players to Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, he must reduce the 30-man provisional list to 23 latest today.
Alaiya, who is with the team in USA, said that as protocol demands, Keshi will forward the list to the management of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in Abuja for onward delivery to the world football governing body, FIFA, which will then display it on its website.
“The players are looking onto the coach who is going to release his 23-man squad for the World Cup today. Keshi has been holding talks with the players and he assured those seven players that will be dropped that they should not see what will happen to them as the end of their career in the national team. He told them every player is important to him, but he must reduce the list to 23 as demanded by FIFA.
“He also told the players that will make the train to the World Cup to justify their inclusion in the team by giving their best at the world championship,” said Alaiya.
The Eagles are expected to meet Greece tomorrow in another international friendly and also meet the US national team on 7 June before proceeding to Campinas, their World Cup team base in Brazil.
The Super Eagles drew 2-2 with Scotland in an international friendly in London last week with Uche Nwofor and Michael Uchebo scoring for the African champions after they fell behind twice.