The Super Eagles are billed to leave Asaba, Delta State on Sunday, as the squad heads out to Ismailia, Egypt for the final lap of their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, ahead of which tension is rising among the players over those who will make the final list to AFCON 2019.
With two players set to be dropped from the provisional squad of 25 lads that were invited to the preparation camp in Asaba, tension has shot to an all-time high, as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) aim to beat a deadline of Tuesday, June 11 set by Confederation of African Football.
Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr has hinted that he will submit his squad list of 23 players to the NFF after Saturday’s warm-up friendly match against The Warriors of Zimbabwe in Asaba, but additional feelers indicate that the Nigerian soccer body actually wants to submit it to CAF on Friday.
That would mean only the final squad members in the Eagles will fly out to Ismailia on Sunday aboard a chartered flight and will play a final tune-up friendly against Senegal on June 16, then land in Alexandria on June 17, where they will open their AFCON 2019 campaign on June 22 against debuting East African side, Burundi.
Rohr promised that all the players will get equal opportunities to make the final roster, but he further admitted that AFCON 2019 will not be an easy ride for the Eagles and only the fittest team would rule the contest.
Eagles’ media officer, Toyin Ibitoye admitted during a chat with Mega Sports on Star 101.5 FM, Lagos that Rohr is facing a tough time in the process of arriving at his final squad roster for Egypt 2019.
Ibitoye, though, stressed that it is not because the gaffer does not know what to do or how to go about it, but simply due to the zeal, dedication and determination at which all the players at taking training sessions and other activities outlined for them by Rohr and his assistants.
He added that all the players are in the right frame of mind, without any major injuries to worry about, except few knocks here and there, as they prepare for Saturday’s friendly against Zimbabwe, after which the squad list to AFCON 2019 would be announced by Rohr.
Ibitoye said: “We are all looking forward to the game against Zimbabwe, and the final list to be released afterwards.
“We have the highest number of invitees in defence and attack. It means those to be dropped could be one each from those two departments.
“Rohr admits it will be difficult to make the final list, because all the players are doing well in training. Let’s wait and see how it goes,”
