Niamey heat scares Eagles

Stephen Keshi

The intense heat in Niamey scared the Super Eagles off training on Monday as they prepare for the friendly with the Menas of Niger Republic.

The game will hold on Wednesday but the players are worried it will hold in the afternoon when the sun will be high.

Some of the players ran off the synthetic pitch of Stade Omnisport in Niamey, venue of the training, when the heat seared their boots and skins but coach Stephen Keshi would not permit poor resistance to the condition.

Keshi had to lecture the players on the importance of the game and reminded them that the game would be played in the afternoon.

He insisted on training in the condition, which was about 33 degrees Celsius, while humidity was 46 per cent. The players therefore had to endure the training for about 75 minutes.

Keshi said after the training, “We have to endure it because we are professionals and we want to do well in the friendly and in other upcoming games.”

The game, which will be played at the Stade Gen Said Kountche in Niamey, will feature players from the Nigeria Premier League, while the Menas will have only five foreign-based players in the game.

Nigeria are using the game to prepare for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia just as Niger are planning ahead of their qualifying game with Guinea in Conakry on September 8.

Meanwhile, Eagles captain Joseph Yobo is backing the team to beat their hosts tomorrow.

Yobo, who completed his transfer to Fernebahce a few days ago, said he trusted in the quality of the Nigerian players.

“I wish them good luck and a fine result because they are quite good and capable of doing what all of us in the team can do”, Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, quoted Yobo as saying.

“By God’s grace Nigerian will see a refreshed Joseph Yobo in the match against Liberia.”