Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked for total concentration from his
players ahead of their final African Nations Championships (CHAN)
qualifier against Cote D’Ivoire in Abidjan on July 27. He noted that the
match will be like war against their West African neighbours.
Nigeria
won the first leg in Kaduna 4-1 and need to avoid defeat by more than
three goals in order to qualify for their first participation in the
competition that will hold in South Africa next year. The team commenced
training on Tuesday at the artificial pitch of the Fifa Goal Project
site in Abuja with 23 players as Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona
was exempted due to his exertions at club. It was reported last week
that the defender suffered a slight injury when he was mobbed by fans in
Owo during training.
“The win in Kaduna is history and if
you have been following the media you will see that they have been
making remarks that they can also beat us well. We must be ready for
their antics and forget the past,” said Keshi.
Keshi has invited
four new players, including one defender, one midfielder and two
strikers, in line with a pledge to inject a few new faces following last
Saturday’s opening leg win at the Ahmadu
Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
The
new faces are Kwara United defender Ganiyu Ogungbe, Kano Pillars
midfielder Rabiu Mohammed, and strikers Abdullahi Gero of Enugu Rangers
and Osadinye Joseph of Warri Wolves.
Two-goal hero Sunday Mba
tops the list that also includes goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim,
defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Chibuzor Okonkwo, as
well as
midfielders Olufemi Oladapo and Ayo Saka, and forwards Muhammad Gambo, Ifeanyi Edeh and Dele Olorundare.
Match time- 4:30pm
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