• Simon, Ndidi, Iheanacho are the early birds as the Eagles begin training today
Assistant coaches of the Super Eagles, Finidi George and Ike Shorunmu, were allegedly sacked by the Technical Adviser, Jose Peseiro, ahead of the national team’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea Bissau on March 24 at the MKO Stadium, Abuja.
Still shocked by the development, Shorunmu, the team’s goalkeeping coach, said he heard from an official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), yesterday, that Peseiro had replaced him as U-20 goalkeeping coach, Suleiman Shaibu.
“I have been informed by top NFF officials that Coach Peseiro has said that he no longer needs my services in the Super Eagles. There is no reason for that decision. Finidi George has also been sacked and replaced by another coach. At this time, I am not a member of the technical crew Super Eagles.
“I saw something was wrong when the coach did not bring me in the Rivers United goalkeeper invitation for the upcoming AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
“I was actually the one who told me about the two home goalkeepers, one from Sunshine Stars and the other from Rivers United. I suggested that one of them be invited to the Super Eagles team. But when they decided to choose one of the two, I was not brought.
“This situation is very unfortunate in the development of Nigerian football,” he said. The Guardian could not get members of the NFF to comment on the development. A text message sent to the NFF Director, Media, Ademola Olajire, on the issue went unanswered at press time.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles players and officials have started gathering in Abuja, where they will begin training, today, for Cote d’Ivoire’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Djurtus of Guinea Bissau. Nigeria will host Guinea Bissau at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on March 24 and will face Bissau for the second leg on March 27.
Among the players expected to arrive in Abuja, yesterday, are Moses Simon, who plays for FC Nantes of France, TSG Hoffenheim defender of Germany, Kevin Akpoguma, Leicester City duo of England, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
According to thenff.com, all other players registered for the match will arrive in Abuja today ahead of the opening training session this evening. The team camped at John Woods Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
With a maximum of six points from their previous two matches, victory in the top-of-the-table match would see the three-time champions move to 12 points and most likely in an undisputed position. Sierra Leone managed to get six points from their match against Sao Tome and Principe, but still remain on seven points, and the Super Eagles still have a home game against bottom-of-the-table Sao Tome and Principe on the final matchday. campaign.