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

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