Nigerian Super Eagles Commence Preparations For AFCON
The Super Eagles will hold their first training session today (Friday) in Abuja, as they prepare for the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, The Punch reports.
The Eagles are drawn against seven-time champions Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan in Group B and will face the Pharaohs in their opening game in Garoua on January 11.
“The players in camp have been undergoing gym sessions in the team’s hotel and expectedly training will start tomorrow (today) because we expect a full house before the end of today (Thursday),” a team official informed The Punch.
As at the time of filing this report, our correspondent learnt that only four players were currently in camp.
The players are Almeria striker Sadiq Umar, Olisa Ndah from Orlando Pirates, Enyimba’s John Noble, Daniel Akpeyi of Kaizer Chiefs, Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Chidera Ejuke.
Meanwhile, Umar says his inclusion in the Eagles squad is not to make up the numbers.
The 24-year-old has scored eight goals in 19 Spanish Segunda games for Almeria this term and is currently the most valuable player in the division.
“It’s a good feeling to be in the camp of Eagles,” Umar told journalists on arrival at the Eagles camp (The Bolton White Apartments).
“I have come to be part of the team, I just hope to enjoy my time here.
“I’m going to give it my best if given the opportunity to play.
“I will definitely justify my inclusion in the team. Not here to make the numbers, but to contribute my quota to the national team.”
“It’s a good feeling to see players I played with in U-23.”
