The Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday had their final training session ahead of Friday’s World Cup playoff game against Ghana in Kumasi.
Under the watch of interim coach of the team Austine Eguavoen, the team trained for close to two hours with all invited players available to the coaches for the first time since camp opened on Monday.
After the usual warm up exercise, the goalkeppers were taken to one section of the pitch where they were made to undergo specific drills under the supervision of goalkepper’s coach Alloy Agu.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke who has been very much involved in the training of the team took the outfield players on certain technical sessions focused on ball possession in tight areas.
They were later involved in a practice match which lasted for close to an hour and ended in a 2-1 draw with goals from Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman from the spot handing their team the win. Odion Ighalo got the other goal.
Chukwueze in particular showed he still has the quick feet that made him a delight at U17 level for Nigeria as he weaved his way past four players to open scoring in the session.
Moses Simon ensured his team didn’t fall behind for long as his well timed pass felled kindly for Odion Ighalo to draw his team level. Lookman however had the last laugh.
A quick combination of play between the lively Emmanuel Dennis and Victor Osimhen created space for the Napoli man to wreck havoc but just before he could, Leon Balogun hacked him down.
Lookman stepped up and dispatch the spot kick past Francis Uzoho with ease. He also came close to scoring twice with Simon who was a thorn in the flesh of Ola Aina setting him up on both occasions.
Aside the goal scorers, Watford star Emmanuel Dennis had a very brilliant session, dribbling with ease, setting up players and also converted almost all of the chances he was given during a drill on goal scoring.
