Eguavoen Reveals Details Of His ‘Balanced Team’ For Clash With Ghana

Super Eagles’ interim technical adviser, Augustine Eguavoen has come out with details of what he believes is a ‘balanced team’ he has lined up for next weekend’s World Cup qualification play-off against Ghana, megasportsarena.com reports.

Speaking against the backdrop of critical comments from a section of the Nigerian media, with demands made for the inclusion of certain players, ‘Egu’ said he would not like to ‘unbalance’ his roster just to satisfy some people.

He went on to speak specifically about Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia striker, Odion Jude Ighalo and CSKA Moscow of Russia winger, Chidera Ejuke, both of who he declared have different values in his plan ahead of the first leg in Kumasi, Ghana.

The Eagles’ gaffer explained his decision to include Ighalo in the main roster was based on the striker’s experience, plus the fact that that the former Watford and Manchester United of England as well as ex-Changchun Yatai and Shanghai Shenhua of China hitman it still in top form.

The Eagles’ former defender, skipper and head coach explained why he could not add Ejuke to the main roster, while also hinting that Ighalo will battle for a starting shirt along with Victor Osimhen from SSC Napoli of Italy and Umar Sadiq from Almeria of Spain.

While also chipping in a comment about Sparta Prague of Czech Republic forward, Peter Olayinka, ‘Cerezo’ concluded by affirming that his list of invitees was specially structured in a way that has two players for each position as well as three goalkeepers.

Eguavoen told Elegbete TV: “We have two players in each position, three goalkeepers and all the other ones on standby; we have a balanced team.

“If we now take Ejuke and now have four on the left side, two on the right side, one left-back, you have an unbalanced team.

“Ejuke is still the revelation whether he’s on standby list or not, I’m not going to give you 100 percent my plan. It’s just about balancing at this point

“Odion Ighalo last played for me U23s but I’ve watched him play wherever he was, up to Manchester United and where he is now.

“We have to see him closely again not that the door is shut for everyone out there, so this is only a game.

“We’ve got Osimhen, Sadiq, and the experience of Ighalo. I also spoke with Olayinka as well. I know their qualities.”