Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi 

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has changed his mind about the number of home-based players he would like to take to Rwanda for the Nations Cup qualifier by February 29.

Before now Keshi had said he would like to take a maximum of five players and a minimum of three to the battle of Kigali, but after Thursday morning’s training, he told the players that he now wants to take a minimum of 8 local players and a maximum of 10 to Rwanda for the qualifier.

Keshi is apparently taking positives from the way the players played against Ranchers Bees of Kaduna on Wednesday and an Abuja selected side the day before. But again, there is a caveat and that is that the players must give him reasons to take as many players as possible to Kigali through their level of concentration and professional attitude.

“This is the only job we know how to do and we must do it very well and show that we are a class above Rwanda, because I want to go there with players who can help me pick the three points and I believe those players are here but you must prove it at training and during friendly games.”

Meanwhile, after playing three friendlies, two with Abuja based sides and the other with Ranchers Bees officials of the Super Eagles have lined up further friendly games ahead of their likely international friendly games and the Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

Coach, Keshi, revealed that the team will in the first week of January play Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Rising Stars of Akure in quick succession.

The games are designed to further toughen the national team and build confidence in the players as the Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers are set to commence.

Team Secretary, Dayo Enebi was busy working out the schedule of the games on Thursday, even as more talented players are craving for action in the national team going by the deluge of requests that comes to Keshi’s table on a daily basis.