Edo State deputy governor, Honourable Philip Shaibu was involved in full training with the Super Eagles on Wednesday, as he joined in motivating the players personally ahead of this Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, megasportsarena.com reports.
The Eagles are back in the Edo State capital, after last playing an international match there in 2011, when they won a friendly encounter against The Zebras of Botswana at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, which will host Friday’s clash with The Leone Stars.
Nigeria lead the qualifying group with six points after wins over Benin and Lesotho, while Sierra Leone is third with a point, but Shaibu still felt he needed to give the Eagles an additional boost, hence his shock decision to join them in training.
The former budding footballer, who also played for his ama-mater as an undergraduate, joined 16 Eagles’ players in training at the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after the lads arrived from their lodgings at Etherno Hotel in Benin City and were cheered on by excited Benin fans.
Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr led the training drills, along with his latest assistant, for team captain, Joseph Ikpo Yobo, with Shaibu also adding to the crew’s pep talk for the players; after which assistant captain, William Troost-Ekong led promises from the players for a resounding result on Friday and in the second leg four days later away in Freetown.
He was joined by Leon Aderemi Balogun and Emiel Maduka Okoye, who said they were both happy to be back home for the next battle in Group L of the AFCON 2021 qualifiers, which the Eagles’ currently top with six points from two games – victories over Benin Republic at home and away to Lesotho.
Troost-Ekong, who was part of the team that placed third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, took his social media handle to reacts after coming after a while due to coronavirus, while Glasgow Rangers center-back Balogun and Sparta Rotterdam goalie Okoye added that they feel great being back home.
They are all exuding confidence ahead of the Eagles double-header with Sierra Leone, with the first tie coming this Friday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City and the reverse fixture next Tuesday at Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown.
A report by SCORENigeria added: “It was a national celebration for the Sierra Leoneans when they achieved the unthinkable by beating their more illustrious neighbours 1-0 in the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup qualifier in Freetown in April 21, 2001.
“The most unthinkable was the mere fact that the Eagles’ best legs were in the infamous loss that attracted 35 000 spectators at the National Stadium, Freetown. The defensive quartet of Ifeanyi Udeze, Taribo West, Emeka Ifejiagwa and Joseph Yobo failed to stop Sidique Mansaray from scoring the lone goal.
“The entire team centered around mercurial midfielder and captain Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha alongside Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George, Nwankwo Kanu and Julius Aghahowa could do little to stop the national celebrations for the Sierra Leoneans.
“Significantly, the infamous loss led to sacking of Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrere and almost marked the end of former Tembissa Classic goalkeeper and current SuperSport TV pundit Idah Peterside’s brief career with his country.
“Interestingly, playing in the midfield for the surprise victorious Leone Stars’ team was the current Leone Stars’ coach John Keister who helped keep things tight in the midfield as Sidique Mansaray struck in the 25th minute to upset Nigeria.
“Leone Stars, expectedly, still failed to qualify for the World Cup in the Far East, but were more than fulfilled they achieved a victory against their West African neighbours for their second ever win in 14 previous encounters.
“According to Abubakar Kanu, Sports Presenter in the Freetown local FM radio station, Kalleone FM, owned by former Leone Stars’ striker and record scorer Mohammer Kallon, the 2001 victory over Nigeria is still talked about.
““The celebration for this rare victory lasted throughout the week and the fans were very happy they beat Nigeria,” Kanu told SCORENigeria.”
