The technical crew of the Nigerian Super Eagles has begun the gradual process of elimination by substitution as it prepares the home based national team for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), in South Africa.
On Tuesday afternoon, two players were asked to go for low productivity, while four new ones were called up to strengthen the squad ahead of the CHAN tourney in South Africa next month.
The two players dropped are midfielder, Mohammed Ajia of Bayelsa United and Elkanemi of Borno defender, Reuben Ogbonnaya. The Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, who spoke through his assistant, Dan Amokachi, said that there was little or no time to prepare the squad, hence the need to quickly identify tournament materials.
The four players who are expected to join the squad in Abuja immediately are the Bendel Insurance duo of Obannu Erhune, who stars for the Benin side in the central defence position and his teammate, Ikeleji Bello, who is a central defensive midfielder. Others are Warri Wolves’ Ewenike Achibi, who is also a midfielder and Mfon Udoh, who recently crossed from Akwa United to Enyimba FC of Aba.
“We have been tracking these players for some time now and we want to give them a chance to prove themselves at a critical point like this and we hope they won’t disappoint”, Amokachi declared.
Indications have also emerged that more players who fail to measure up will be asked to go by the weekend after Wednesday’s test match against Niger Tornadoes of Minna and another practice match that has been scheduled for Saturday both at the main bowl of the Abuja National Stadium.
Victor Nsofor Visits Camp
Meanwhile, Locomotov Moscow striker, Victor Obinna Nsofor, was at the CHAN Super Eagles morning training session on Tuesday.
He told the players that he came not only to support the team but to boost their belief of winning the CHAN trophy at a first attempt.
Nsofor, who reportedly came into the country last week said that he had been keeping fit at the Abuja National Stadium and decided to drop by to encourage his teammates ahead of CHAN. He also declared that he was now 100 per cent fit, after he copped an injury in Nigeria’s last World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Calabar, in which he scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 2-0 win.
“Coach I’m fit and well and have been training with my club before we went on the winter break”, he told a smiling Stephen Keshi, who congratulated him over his quick recovery and wished him well in his career.
Nsofor is one of the players expected to kick-start Nigeria’s preparation for the World Cup when the team reconvenes after the CHAN tourney in South Africa.
