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The expected full house of Super Eagles’ players for Monday’s training session did not materialise after all, as only 14 of them were on ground in Abuja, megasportsarena.com reports.
This was in contrast with enthusiasm that had been raised heading into the first week of January, as all players based in Scotland and England had been expected to hit camp.
The only player who turned up on Monday, though, happened to be captain of the squad, Ahmed Musa, who breezed in from his current base in Turkey and joined in the day’s evening training session.
However, Eagles’ interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen downplayed the development, as he reckoned that the players coming in from Great Britain may have flight difficulties, but should still be expected later same day.
Rather than fret over the reality of only half of the total number of players expected in camp being on ground two days before the team’s scheduled departure to Cameroon on Wednesday, Eguavoen concentrated on those he had available on Monday evening.
A report by allnigeriasoccer.com added: “The training took place at the National Stadium in Abuja with fourteen players in attendance including captain of the Super Eagles, Fatih Karagümrük winger Ahmed Musa, who reported for international duty today.
“The other players involved in the ongoing workout are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi, John Noble and Francis Uzoho, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Chidozie Awaziem and Olisa Ndah, strikers Chidera Ejuke, Peter Olayinka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Henry Onyekuru, Moses Simon and Sadiq Umar.
“One hour into the training session, Alanyaspor center back Awaziem was training individually and it is unclear at the this point if he is carrying a knock considering that he participated in full training on Sunday.
“The versatile Awaziem is expected to play a key role for the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations with Rangers star Leon Balogun ruled out of the tournament and Watford’s William Troost-Ekong struggling for form.
“The former Porto star was being put through his paces by the Super Eagles’ physiotherapist as his teammates sweated it out on the pitch.
“(However), with eight days left before their AFCON opener against Egypt, the Super Eagles are yet to hold a proper training session because most of the invited players have not shown up in camp.”
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