The Super Eagles had to defy a long round of detractions in the gym of Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as they commenced preparations for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Liberia under chaotic circumstances.
The setting was far from peaceful, as the players and coaches faced a confrontational staff of the hotel, who insisted that the time allotted to the Nigerian team clashed with preferences of other guests in the hospitality abode, thereby resulting in a major conflict.
However, megasportsarena.com further gathered that the Eagles continued their drills, even as the altercation dragged on, with 20 of the invited players making the best of the opportunity indoors before hitting the lawn.
Those who braved contrary agitations by a manager at the hotel included Emil Maduka Okoye, Jamilu Collins, Terem Moffi, Valentine Ozornwafor, Innocent Bonke, Wilfred Onyinyen Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Adekunle Adeleke and Daniel Akpeyi.
Also present were Moses Simon, Shehu Abdullahi, Ahmed Musa, Samuel Kalu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Francis Odinaka Uzoho, Henry Onyekuru, Chidera Ejuke, Kingsley Michael and Kenneth Omeruo.
However, ages’ media officer, Babafemi Raji downplayed the rowdy scene, as he insisted it was only a minor misunderstanding between an assistant manager at the hotel and his members of staff on usage of the gym by the players and the abode’s guests.
Raji expatiated: “We were scheduled to train just within the hotel with the gym session coming first then the outdoor volley session next.
“However, just as we wrapped up the gym session, one of the hotel managers came in to inspect and while the team trained at a section of the gym just doing light stretches.
“He yelled at his members of staff and that caused a distraction to the team’s session which, although light, required concentration.
“While the back and forth between the manager of the hotel, his staff and some officials of the Super Eagles was on, the gym session continued and lasted 45 minutes, which was 15 minutes more than the earlier scheduled 30 minutes.
“Coach of the team, Gernot Rohr called the entire team together to give instructions on the next session which was the volley outdoor session.”
