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FLYING EAGLES CAMP MEMOIRS

Category: Shot Published on Saturday, 16 July 2011 06:00 Written by Samm Audu Hits: 857

As expected no early morning training today as the team only returned to Faro by midnight after the friendly against Portugal and then a dinner organised by the Portuguese FA.

The goalless draw with Portugal the previous evening was an eye-opener - the defence marshalled by Kenneth Omerou was solid but the midfield and attack struggled.

Omerou really held his own against the giant Portuguese strikers like Balde, little wonder he is set to join up this season with the first-team squad of top Belgian club Standard Liege after a stint with the reserves.

Kwara United goalkeeper Kazeem Yekeen started the game and he also looked a valuable addition to the team who won the African Youth Championship in South Africa. He looked composed and capable until he was replaced by Gideon Gambo after he fell awkwardly on his side.

The midfield was dominated by the Portuguese and there was very little creative and quickness of thought from defensive midfielder Philemon Daniel and his attacking sidekick Abduljaleel Ajagun.

The attack failed to bite and hardly ever troubled the Portuguese goalkeeper Mika or his defenders. Uche Nwofor and Bright Ejike played like strangers at the start, while in the second half Sani Emmanuel and Omo Ojabu added some pace and urgency upfront but struggled against the bigger and stronger Portuguese defenders.

Overall, the Flying Eagles did not play to their full potentials and some officials would attribute it to the anxiety on the part of the players to make the final cut.

The match is well reported by the country’s top sports dailies, Abola and Ojogo, complete with action shots and match stats from the game.

This was a very bruising clash which left several players like Egebdi Edafe and goalkeeper Gideon Gambo, who saved a 59th minute penalty, on the treatment table.

Edafe was in so much pain when his right hand was stepped up by a Portuguese player in the first half and he had to play with a bandaged hand thereafter. He may undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

Gambo has an ankle also from a game the Portuguese were so desperate to win and appeared to be aided in their mission by referee Duarte Gomes as he made several questionable calls.

Westerlo of Belgium defender Jamiu Alimi aggravated his thigh strain during warm-up and he himself has admitted his chances of being on the plane to Colombia do not look very good now.

After the bruising Portugal friendly, you ask - will size count in Colombia? If it will, we may well struggle in attack.

The most popular Nigerian player in the team here is Nwofor, who has for some time now been linked with a transfer to top Portuguese club Benfica.

At a post-match conference, the Enugu Rangers striker told inquisitive Portuguese reporters his focus is the World Cup and his agent will handle his transfer, while acknowledging the fact that Benfica are a top club.

Porto youngster Mikel Agu was at the game to say hello to the whole team and left with a Flying Eagles shirt from Egbedi Edafe.

The new Mikel has bagged a long-term contract at the Europa Cup winners and a lot is expected of the former skipper of the Nigeria Copa Coca-Cola team after he impressed with the Porto youngsters last season.

There is a photo call by the Browns Sports and Leisure Club for the whole squad during the light workout in the evening.

Friday is Decision Day, when coach Obuh will announce his final squad for the World Cup.

- Samm Audu, Media Officer for Flying Eagles