By Victor Enyinnaya on November 12, 2016
It was a ding-dong affair in the Super Eagles final training match in Abuja on Wednesday before the team departed fro Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to await the esert Foxes of Algeria ahead of Saturday’s 2018 Russia World Cup qualifier. The match between the possibles and probables however ended barren, which camp insiders told Daily Sports became a source of much worry for Coach Gernot Rohr, who has since been growing more grey hairs as a result of that, though things have been looking up afterwards.
“It may interest you to know that the probables cancelled out the possibles to a barren draw in the team’s final training Wednesday morning in Abuja ahead of this weekend’s World Cup star cracker against Algeria in Uyo. The outing of the possibles dazed the Franco-German handler and he never pretends about it. It gave him the insight of what to do and by the time he watched the team again and again under closed doors, he would be in better position to finally pick his starting list,” a credible insider source hinted.
It would be recalled that the 23-man squad has since headed out to match venue, Uyo where they are continuing their training perfection for the epic ground battle of wits and brawns.
Daily Sports scooped that the Wednesday two-a-side training game proved very competitive with the likes of Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses making eye catching moves with their quality displays, as the second team safe gloves, Dele Alampasu pulled off several daring and close range saves to the delight of Rhor who most times nodded in firm agreement, it was further learnt.
“South Africa-based goaltender, Daniel Akpeyi who is the most experienced, was in goal for the first team and now looks set to be in goal in place of the injured Carl Ikeme on Saturday, exactly his role in the march against Egypt in Alexandria, AFCON 2017 second leg qualifier match. It was clear that Coach Rohr, who keenly oversaw the training match, showed his hand with his selection of players from both the first and second teams.”
According to the source, Shehu Abdullahi played at right back, while Kenneth Omeruo was played at left back ahead of late arrival, Elderson Echiéjilé; Kelechi Iheanacho led the attack, ace attacker, Odion Ighalo featured for the second team. He has struggled to score goals in the national team.
“The ruthless finisher, Oghenekaro Etebo looked good to have walked into the first team through hard work and could fit in on Saturday to play behind Iheanacho in Coach Rohr’s favourite 4-2-3-1 formation.
“Etebo will provide the shooting deftness and accurate executioner drives in front of goal that Rohr has been demanding from his supposedly dare devil front men.
“It is also likely that Assistant Captain, Ahmed Musa will start from the bench for the second straight Eagles match, as more reliable Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi will set the explosives from the flanks. Eagles are gradually being rooted into the 4-2-3-1 creation plan by Rhor,” the insider added.
•Photo shows Victor Moses.
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 12, 2016
You may also like...
Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman included in Super...
Algeria linked with Le Guen who dumped Nigeria...
PSG Cruise In French Cup, Marseille Escape Via...
Rampant Rodrygo Powers Real To 6-0 Win Over...
Joshua will bounce back, says Fury’s dad
Nuno Emerges Leading Contender For Spurs Manager’s Job...

D’Tigress begin US tour with historic Sparks clash
Tinubu congratulates basketball star Anosike on NBL title, MVP award in China
NSC announces UK trials for diaspora athletes
Adams calls for urgent reset in Nigerian football
Playing for Nigeria felt like playing for Real Madrid – Arokodare
Playing for Nigeria felt like playing for Real Madrid – Arokodare
NFF opens talks with Osula over Eagles switch
Brume, Okezie join global stars for Kip Keino Classic
NPFL confirms May 24 season end date
NCF proposes elite cricket league
Trump envoy wants Italy to replace Iran at World Cup — Report
Gala intensify Osimhen’s special recovery plan
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,727 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,051 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,983 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,575 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,503 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,403 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,254 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,800 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,988 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,497 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,912 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,375 views)