Poor Finishing Problem Of Local Eagles – NFF

Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has attributed the excitement to score goals by the strikers of the home-based Super Eagles in the international friendly game against Palancas Negras of Angola to the the poor finishing of the team, despite creating so many goals scoring opportunities in the game.

Head of Technical Department of the NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, told P.M.Sports in Abuja after watching the tie that ended goalless that there is need for Stephen Keshi to work on the strikers to be more clinical in front of goals when the team play against the Lone Stars of Liberia in another international friendly game later this month.

“The NFF is really impressed with the performance of the local players against Angola. The only thing missing was their inability to score goals and we hope that Stephen Keshi will be able to fix that problem in their next international friendly game against Liberia,” Dr. Ikpeme said.

He also noted that the defence of the local Eagles was a delight to watch, especially the central defence pair of Papa Idris and Azubuike Egwuekwe who showed tremendous understanding to thwart the attacking efforts of the Angolan strikers and Chigozie Agbim, the Nigerian goalkeeper, who was very confident in goal throughout the game.

“The defence of the team was excellent throughout the match. Azubuike and Idris were excellent pair in the central defence, making accurate and timely tackles to make the likes of Manucho and Flavio of Angola so ordinary in the game. Agbim, who was in goal, showed tremendous confidence especially in the way he caught the aerial balls. Overall, all the players did well,” he said.

—Francis Achi/Abuja