Super Eagles interim Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has described the national team ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
Eguavoen stressed that the Nigerian national team is a good blend of youth and experienced players.
He made the remarks after the team’s first training session at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto, Portugal who arrived at the team’s camp, brought the number of arrivals to 12 players who participated in the team’s first training session.
The coach, who said that the players were being put through their paces, expressed delight with their performances, adding that he saw a lot of energy and speed in the team.
“I am very impressed with what I’ve seen today. The team is a good blend of both the young and experienced players.
“A majority of the players that made the 28-man list and who participated in the team’s first training session today are quite young.
“So, there is a lot of energy, there’s a lot of speed and that’s exactly what you need in the game of modern day football,” he said.
The gaffer noted that his goal and focus was to ensure the total commitment of the boys as well as their ability to play according to instruction and his pattern of play.
“I expect 100 per cent commitment from the boys and have explained to them the way I want them to play.
“So the next job for me now is to see how they apply their skills and abilities during our training sessions and see those who best fit into the various positions and the way we want to play,” he said.
The coach also expressed his disappointment over the absence of key players like Denis Emmanuel and Victor Osimhen in the squad, noting that their non-availability was painful.
It has been reported that nothing less than 16 more players are still being expected in the Super Eagles camp at the Bolton White Hotel ahead of the 2021 AFCON scheduled to kick off on Jan. 9 and end on Feb. 6.