The senior national team of Nigeria stepped up their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations with a full training session at their camp in Abu Dhabi, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Yesterday they had two gruelling sessions under the watchful eyes of head coach of the team Jose Peseiro alongside his assistants. As many as 23 players took part in the evening session following the arrival of team’s top striker Victor Osimhen.
As at the time of this report only two players in William Troost-Ekong who is expected this morning and Kelechi Iheanacho who will join the team in Nigeria before they depart for Cote d’Ivoire if he passes a fitness test.
The major high point of the session was the decision of the coach to line the team in a new formation different from the 4-2-4 formation. The formation he has played since he took over as coach of the team over a year ago.
Peseiro had them lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with the players likely to start against Guinea in their test game on Monday up against the other players, who will likely be on the bench for the game.
Newly invited goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stood out with his reflexes and ball handling abilities. His ability to play with his feet under pressure also caught the eyes especially when he hit a near forty yards pass to help his team make the transition from defence to attack.
Among the outfield players Nantes of France winger Moses Simon gave all sorts of problems for Bright Osayi-Samuel who was up against him during the session. He created more chances than any other player during the duration of the session.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
