The arrival of Sharks Stanley Okoronkwo and Kalu Orji of Heartland Fc of Owerri, has changed the complexion of the battle for shirts among the 22 home based players in camp for the duel against the Lone Star of Liberia come October 13 in Calabar.
The duo who replaced Kano Pillars’ Papa Idris and Gabriel Reuben along with the 20 players that arrived camp earlier have been undergoing what can best be described as Spartan drilling from the coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi. Keshi was to explain that he had to apply the tough training method because the Nigerian league has recently gone on break and there was need to rejig the players to the reality of qualifying for the Nations Cup in South Africa next year.
“The end of the league season means we have to make sure all the players are super fit, we don’t have that worry with the European based players whom we see play week after week, the response of the players I must say has been wonderful and I commend them for their commitment to qualifying for the Nations Cup.
Keshi has again told the players that they should prove themselves well at training sessions and leave the rest to him, adding that they should not be intimidated because 15 players will be coming from Europe. “I invited 15 players from Europe to block any loophole that may arise but we know the talents we also have at home and if they prove they are ready many of them will start against Liberia”.
?