Conscious of the harsh weather awaiting the Super Eagles in Ndola, the team yesterday opted to train under the sun in Abuja ahead of Sunday’s Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Chipolopolo of Zambia.
The training, which started at about 2pm at the Practice pitch of the Abuja Stadium, lasted for two hours, while they received cheers from a pocket of fans at the venue.
A mild drama, however, ensued as some of the players hurriedly raced into the waiting bus to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s incidence when they were mobbed.
Team skipper, John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi, Carl Ikeme got into the team’s bus after the section ended, but Premier League duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi were ambushed by fans, who wanted some snap shots with the stars.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Police Force revealed that it took the intervention of five armed policemen to rescue Mikel from the mob that invaded the pitch after the Eagles friendly with Plateau United FC on Wednesday.
Super Eagles’ Chief Security Officer, ACP Baba Abubakar, who made the disclosure, attributed the situation to security lapses.
“What happened on Wednesday was unfortunate. But we will take correction from it. I had ordered our men to locked the gate before the end of the match, but somebody had given a counter order to allow the journalists entry into the pitch.
“When we noticed the security implications of the fans, we know that their target would be the big players like Mikel. We have to direct our men about five of them to shield Mikel and build strong wall to guide him to the dressing room,” he explained.
In a related development, the Team Coordinator, Patrick Pascal dismissed the impression that the harsh weather in Ndola will affect the players, arguing that with the training under the hot Abuja weather will provide enough antidote.
“Yes, whether will always be a problem, but that was why we started this training under hot weather to ensure that the players acclimatize very well for the game. From what I have seen here, there is no reason to entertain any fear for that game in Zambia. I have the feeling that Eagles will live up to the expectations of the soccer-loving Nigerians,” he noted.

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