Two days after the camp was opened in Abuja ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has declared that the team has reached a crucial bend in the preparations for the championship in South Africa next year and pleaded with Nigerians not to distract the team from focusing on set goals.
Speaking at the team’s Bolton White Apartment abode, Keshi said he was not averse to critics of the team but cautioned against those who are hell bent on distracting the team.
“The entire team needs absolute concentration but everyday there are reports about divisions in the team and several other negative stories and that is not good for the type of team we want to build for the Nations Cup,” Keshi said.
He declared that he has received 100 per cent support from the Alhaji Aminu Miagari-led NFF Executive Committee and hopes that it will continue all the way to the Nations Cup championship.
Meanwhile, former NFA Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, has called on all Nigerians to join him in praying for the team’s success in South Africa.
Galadima said: “The team has done well so far and we should help Keshi by praying for the team.
“I have already started praying for the team and I hope the rest of the Nigerian football public will do same.”
In another development, the only foreign based player that has been initially invited, Fegor Ogude of Velaranga of Norway, breezed into camp Monday night and by Tuesday morning was in full flight during the team’s training.
Fegor said he has come to camp to meet with his teammates and hopes he can pick a shirt for the Nations Cup proper in South Africa.
Lobi Stars Bassey Ezekiel was expected to join camp Tuesday evening, to bring the number of invited players to 24.
Ezekiel is a late replacement for Heartland’s Kalu Orji, who is reportedly injured.
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