After over three months of layoff from the national team’s camp as a result of injuries, Kano Pillars duo of Gabriel Reuben and Papa Idris, were the cynosure of all eyes as the Super Eagles opened training camp on Monday for the African Cup of Nations in Abuja.
After over three months of layoff from the national team’s camp as a result of injuries, Kano Pillars duo of Gabriel Reuben and Papa Idris, were the cynosure of all eyes as the Super Eagles opened training camp on Monday for the African Cup of Nations in Abuja.
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There were fears that the two home-based players who have been part of the national team since Stephen Keshi took over about a year ago may not be fit on time for the African Cup of Nations 2013 championship billed for South Africa, but they came out strong in training on Monday morning at the Abuja National Stadium.
Super Eagles team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, who later spoke on the state of health of the two players passed them fit for training in the run-up to the championship. “The only fear I have is that since they have not played competitive football for some time they will still experience some jitters. But that is only a thing of the mind and the team psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun and the coaching hands are already working on that aspect”, he declared.
At Monday morning training session, 22 players trained but Akwa United’s Bassey E and Fegor Ogude of Velaranga of Norway, who is expected to join the team were not at the early morning training session. The players were grilled on fitness, tactics and general conditioning for a championship of the magnitude of the Nations Cup.
Head Coach, Stephen Keshi assured the players that if they prove worthy of a place in the team better than their European based counterparts they will be picked for the championship. “It will be my delight if 10 players prove good enough to make the championship roster and I will be happy if at all times four of such players start every game, but you have to prove it on the pitch that you are ready for the challenge”, he told the players before training commenced. The team’s train continues tomorrow in Abuja.
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