Posted by The PM News on
The Super Eagles head coach, Shuaibu Amodu, is worried about the state of his team, who are to play in an international friendly game against Colombia in Cali, tomorrow.
The Super Eagles head coach, Shuaibu Amodu, is worried about the state of his team, who are to play in an international friendly game against Colombia in Cali, tomorrow.
Amodu, who went to England on a working visit to some Premiership clubs, arrived Bogota with 11 players, at about 22:00 hours Nigerian time, yesterday.
He came in with Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Austin Ejide, Sani Kaita, Kalu Uche, Solomon Okoronkwo, Joseph Akpala, Dele Adeleye, Oluwafemi Ajilore, Christian Obodo, Ikechukwu Uche and Obinna Nwaneri. The squad joined defenders Taye Taiwo and Danny Shittu, who have been in Cali since Sunday. Team captain, Nwankwo Kanu, flew in from Atlanta, USA, yesterday evening, while Italy-based Obinna Nsofor is expected to arrive along with unknown call-up, Obi Evans Ngemba.
The virtually unknown goalkeeper was called up after Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba could not get entry visas to the South American country. It is the first time that Nigerians are hearing the name of Obi Ngemba, who plays for German Bundesliga side, S.V. Heimstettun. He is to provide cover for the France-based Austin Ejide.
Amodu wondered how he would play a friendly tie against one of the best South American teams with most of his star players opting out with one excuse or the other. Assistant captain, Joseph Yobo, opted out with a calf injury. Oluwaseyi Olofinjana, in-form Hoffenheim striker, Chinedu Obasi; Italy-based Obinna Nsofor; South Africa-based goalkeeper, Greg Etafia; first and second choice goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba; Osaze Odemwingie and defender, Chidi Odiah, are out of the showdown.
Amodu, who has resigned to fate, insists that his squad will face the challenge head on: 'This is like going to war. Whatever ammunition you have on your hands, you learn to make the best use of them. This is a challenge and we're going to face it squarely.
'But we must show our disappointment with those players who threw up excuses. It is something we will bother about after the match. I am rebuilding the team and one of my objectives is to make it more competitive by getting two, three players for every position on the pitch,' said Amodu.
Against a team Nigeria have lost to in two previous encounters, it promises to be a very stern test for Amodu, who has yet to lose a game since he returned to his former post, for the third time, in April.
Organisers of the friendly tie have informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that the match will start at 21:00 hours Colombian time, tomorrow, which falls at 3 a.m., Thursday morning, in Nigeria.