*Team build up stamina with foot-volleyball on the beach
Duro Ikhazuagbe
With 20 players in camp as at lunch time yesterday, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, led his wards on stamina build-up with foot-volleyball on the beach of the team’s Savoy Hotel Resort and Spa in Victoria, Mahé Island Seychelles.
“Foot-Volleyball as training kicks off ahead of #Seychelles clash. #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #SEYNGA,” reads the tweet on NFF’s official website yesterday evening.
The arrival of six more Eagles yesterday increased the number of players in camp ahead Saturday’s AFCON 2019 qualifier to 18.
By Tuesday morning, Henry Onyekuru, Kenneth Omeruo, Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Samuel Kalu, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Nwakali, Bryan Idowu, Simeon Nwankwo and Joel Obi were the 12 early birds.
But in the afternoon, Saudi Arabia-based Ahmed Musa, alongside Turkey –based Ogenyi Onazi, China-based Odion Ighalo, Germany-based Jamilu Collins and the England-based duo of Oghenekaro Etebo and Leon Balogun arrived camp and joined the team for lunch.
Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa (from Nigeria) and Daniel Akpeyi (from South Africa) were the last two invited players to arrive camp last night to have full squad for the must-win battle against Seychelles.
Only Alex Iwobi, Olaoluwa Aina and William Troost-Ekong are missing due to injuries while Captain John Mikel Obi was excused from the Match-day 2 encounter. Victor Moses had early last month dropped out of the Nigerian senior national team on the ground that he wants to consolidate his play in Chelsea under the new manager.
The Super Eagles look to garner all three points against the Pirates on Saturday to restore their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign back on track following the reverse against South Africa in Uyo on Match-day 1 in June 2017.
But while Eagles coaches are plotting how to win, the host country is not going to be a walk in the park as Seychelles coach Gavin Jeanne is delighted over the preparations of his wards too ahead of the biggest game in their history against Nigeria on September 8.
The Pirates will battle Eagles at the 10,000-capacity stadium, Stade Linité situated at Roche Caiman in the outskirts of Victoria for the three points at stake.
Jeanne is confident his side will be up for the challenge in the match-day 2 of the qualifiers.
“Yes, we are very ready and positive about our chances against Nigeria,” Jeanne told Footballlive.ng.
“We have prepared well and I hope the players maintain their focus and stick to the plan.”
“We have enjoyed a good build-up to the game. It’s our biggest football match in history.
“We have tested ourselves enough from our participation it the COSAFA Cup till now.
“I hope it goes well and we make a positive impact,” concludes the coach.
