Eagles’ Camp Opens Today

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will open camp today for the home-based players in Abuja ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, on Friday released the list of a 30-man squad to fight for shirts in the team when the foreign based players join them later.

Keshi said the local players will serve as the bedrock of the Super Eagles in the qualifying series for the Nations Cup, adding that the technical crew is ready to bridge the gap between the local and foreign based Eagles to motivate the home-based players to play for the nation.

“These home-based players will serve as the bedrock of the Super Eagles. I hope to identify some good talents to compliments other foreign based players. We have quality players in the local league. I’m a product of the Nigerian league and I need to work on their confidence in the team,” he said.

Keshi, however, expressed confidence in the ability of the local stars to establish their presence in the team, adding that the only thing that has been dragging local players back in the past is denial of playing time in the team.

—Olusegun Abidoye