Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike were the standout performers as African champions, Nigeria conducted their first full training session on Thursday evening ahead of today’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi.
The session, which lasted just under two hours at the UJ Esuene stadium, Calabar, kicked off at 3:50pm. The goalkeepers were made to work away from the rest of the squad as goalkeeping coach, Ike Shorunmu drilled the trio of Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.
The 20 outfield players were then divided into 10 groups of two players each. Short and long passing skills were perfected in the exercise.
After that session which lasted 30 minutes, the players cooled off with a 10 minute water break before commencing the next round of training. Head coach, Stephen Keshi then divided the players into two teams of 10 players each.
“Team A” comprised of Godfrey Oboabona, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, Victor Moses, John Mikel Obi, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Sunday Mba.
James Okwuosa led “Team B’ which also included players like Benjamin Francis, Solomon Kwambe, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Nosa Igiebor, Brown Ideye, Shola Ameobi, Uche Nwofor, Obinna Nsofor.
The session was aimed at testing the players’ ability to control the ball in tight spaces and improve accuracy with a small target.
Igiebor excelled as he scored a brace with Musa, Nwofor and Nsofor all scoring for their respective sides. Mba, Onazi and Moses also impressed with their passing.
Ideye, however, showed an alarming lack of confidence in front of goal as time and again, he opted to pass to teammates when he was in promising positions.
In the rare periods when he opted to go for goal, he failed woefully to hit the target as the fans booed him. Keshi then worked on tactics with the keepers now joining in the session.
Emenike then showed he had lost none of his goal scoring instincts in front of goal as he smacked home a couple of brilliant goals. His first of the session was so good that he wheeled away in celebration while the beaten keeper, Ejide applauded.
Nwofor’s love of spectacular goals appears to be innate as he got the fans roaring in appreciation after nonchalantly scoring with a back heel, not quite unlike his goal in Nigeria’s 2-0 win against South Africa in the Nelson Mandela challenge in August.
The biggest cheer was, however, reserved for Enyeama who astonishingly saved three times in succession from Onazi from inside the box. Even Keshi applauded as the stand-in keeper showed he was ready to lead by example.
Speaking to supersport.com after the day’s exertions, Enyeama praised his teammates for their “dedication and hard work”.
“It was a good one today. I want to commend my teammates for their dedication and hard work. Even in the rain, the boys gave their all. We are set to defeat Malawi,” he said.
