‘Abu Dhabi campsite not good for Eagles’ AFCON dream’

As players and officials of the Super Eagles begin preparations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, some Nigerians believe the choice of the campsite might work against the team when hostilities begin next week in Cote d’Ivoire.

Speaking on Channel’s Morning Sports Programme, yesterday, veteran sports journalist, Kunle Solaja, faulted the decision of the NFF Technical Committee and the entire NFF board to take the players to Abu Dhabi in January, which is the coldest month in that region.

He said: “A lot of things are involved, particularly in the preparation of a team for a major competition. I can’t really understand the rationale behind taking the Super Eagles to Abu Dhabi to camp for an AFCON that is holding in Cote d’Ivoire. For those who study geography, this month of January is the coldest month in that region, and that is why tourists from different parts of the world go there this period.

“Our players are coming from a cold Europe and I expected that the NFF would organise Super Eagles’ campsite in Nigeria or another West African country that has similar weather condition with Cote d’Ivoire,” Solaja stated.

The Super Eagles will travel to Cote d’Ivoire on January 10, and will play their first game against Equatorial Guinea on January 14 at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium before facing hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, on January 18, while their last group game will be against Guinea Bissau on January 22.

Solaja, who is one of Nigeria’s most travelled sports journalists said: “At the moment, the weather condition in Abidjan and Lagos is the same. It is very hot, and one should expect the players to train in such hot weather instead of camping in Abu Dhabi. I just hope the NFF is not planning to fail in Cote d’Ivoire.”

Some other sports analysts, who spoke on radio sports programmes monitored in Lagos, yesterday, also carpeted the NFF and coach Peseiro for the ‘poor’ planning ahead the AFCON.

One of them, who gave his name as Peter, said: “I don’t know why the NFF is always thinking backward while others are planning on how to succeed. Look at a team like Algeria is camping in nearby Togo.

“To me, taking the Super Eagles to Abu Dhabi at this time when they are playing in a hot region in Cote d’Ivoire may be counterproductive when the competition begins. We won’t accept any excuse from the NFF and Coach Jose Peseiro.”