The Nigeria Super Eagles had their first training session in Marrakech, Morocco the venue of their two friendly games with Ghana and Mali respectively on Friday and Tuesday.
The Eagles are having their first meet up since the end of the 2023 African Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire where Nigeria was beaten 2-1 by the hosts in the grand finale last month
The Nigeria Football Federation has named Finidi George as the interim manager for the two friendly games as the search for replacement to former Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro continues.
Incidentally, 12 of the Super Eagles players were early arrivals to the camp in Marrakesh, Morocco. They are Stanley Nwabali, Olorunleke Ojo, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, Benjamin Tanimu, Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Moses Simon, Nathan Tella and Cyriel Dessers.
Chigozie Awaziem, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Tom-Bashiru and a few others also got to Morocco just before the evening training session as the team began life under incumbent Enyimba coach, Finidi George.
The Eagles were put through their paces and were also involved in other form of exercises to put them back in shape from their long travels.
“ The response to the training has been good though we are still waiting for some players,” George told the NFF Tv after the team’s first session.
“ The players that are here now have done a good job; good training though it wasn’t that intense because some just travelled here . it’s been good feelings as well as team spirit and I’m happy about it.” On getting the nod to manage the team for the two-friendlies against Ghana and Mali, the former Ajax’s winger said: “ As a coach, it’s a good possibility and we have to be calm to do the job and do it properly because a lot of Nigerians are watching .
“ We want to make them proud and we know these matches are crucial for Nigeria and we are going to take it seriously .”
The Eagles will on Friday face the Black Stars of Ghana who just named Otto Addo as Chris Houghton’s replacement following the Black Stars poor run at the 2023 AFCON where they crashed out in the first round as well as Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday, 26th March.
Nigeria is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers doubleheader against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in June this year.
They are third in the group with just two points from two games having drew their opening two games to Lesotho and Zimbabwe last year. Rwanda (four points) lead the group followed by South Africa with three points.
