LAGOS – The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday said the Super Eagles would train in Warri ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Congo in Point-Noire.
In a statement by the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, the association said Warri was picked because its pitch was suitable for preparations for the match.
The statement quoted Musa Amadu, NFF’s Secretary-General, as disclosing this during a meeting with the team’s technical crew and support staff in Abuja.
The Eagles will take on hosts Red Devils of Congo on Nov. 15 on an artificial pitch in in a must-win game.
“The pitch in Warri where the Eagles will train is an artificial pitch and should provide the required feel and match conditions as the pitch where the game will be played in Congo.
“This is a very crucial game and we cannot afford to take anything for granted,’’ Amadu was quoted as saying.
He had added that the team would, after the game in Congo, proceed to Uyo to prepare for the final Group A qualifier against South Africa on Nov. 19.
“The NFF is working round the clock to ensuring that all the team needs to make a success of the November matches are provided so that the Super Eagles are able to defend their title in Morocco in January.
“For us (at NFF) the real challenge is to go to Congo and get the desired result that will put our qualification aspirations back on the right tracks,’’ the statement quoted Amadu as saying.
NAN reports that the Eagles would need to beat Congo with a two-goal margin or a higher scoreline of victory than what Congo got in Calabar on Sept. 6.
It will help them to edge ahead of the Red Devils in Group A after the Nov. 15 clash.(NAN)
