2014 W/Cup: Super Eagles Begin Training For France Tie
Less than 72-hours before Nigeria take on France in the round of 16 of the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Super Eagles have resumed training in Brasilia ahead of Monday’s game.
It could be recalled that players of the Nigerian team had refused to train on Thursday, 26 June, 2014, choosing instead to press home demands for bonuses.
Supersport reports that the coach Stephen Keshi team have temporarily shelved aside bonus issue as the team eventually returned to training ahead of Monday’s game against Les Bleues.
The Nigeria national team arrived Brasilia ahead of Monday’s second round 2014 World Cup round of 16 clash against France on Friday.
It was initially feared that the players may refuse to board the flight following complaints over non-payment of appearance bonuses.
Players of the Super Eagles had failed to board a plane prior to the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup over similar issues.
* Super Eagles in training
All the 23 players and technical officials led by Stephen Keshi were on the flight that touched down in Brasilia at 4:07pm local time.
Also on the flight with the Eagles were the NFF Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh and Mallam Shehu Dikko.
It was gathered that as soon as the Eagles arrived Brazil, they immediately checked into their abode at the Plaza Brasilia, a stone throw away from where the French side is quartered.
Reports stated that the players then headed out for training with the exception of 21-year-old midfielder, Babatunde Michael who suffered a fracture to his right arm during Nigeria’s 2-3 defeat to Argentina and has been ruled out of the tournament.
Speaking about his support for the squad ahead of Monday’s game against Les Bleues, Babatunde said: “I will be praying for the team and I am sure they will do the nation proud in this World Cup."
To get to the round of 16, Nigeria played out a 0-0 draw with Iran, defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 and lost 2-3 against Argentina in the last group match played on Wednesday.
Source: Legit.ng
