Enjoy Xmas, don’t lose fitness, Oliseh tasks Eagles

THE home based Eagles team camping in Abuja for the CHAN 2016 Championship billed for Rwanda will formerly go on a short break today, but with a stern warning from their manager, Sunday Oliseh that they must not lose focus of the task ahead in January.

While wishing the players a good time with their families during the Christmas break, he charged them not to lose sight of the bigger picture and should therefore en- joy themselves in moderation.

According to the Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, the message was meant to put the players in check.

“Oliseh has been in constant touch with the camp and while he wished the players a wonderful time with their families during the Christmas break, he told them to be mindful of their fitness given the task ahead of the team in January.”

Meanwhile, besides testing their readiness for the CHAN with warm-up match against Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria will also take on Angola in another friendly also in South Africa.

Ibitoye confirmed yesterday that the team has now arranged another warm-up with CHAN-bound Angola in South Africa. An- gola eliminated South Africa to qualify for the 2016 CHAN.

The Eagles are due to set up a training camp in Pretoria early next month before they land in Rwanda for the CHAN, which kicks off January 16.

They were drawn in the same group with Tunisia, Niger and Guinea and will play their opening game on January 18 against Niger.

Bature Yaro and Usman Mohammed, who were part of the title winning U23 side at the CAF/Africa U23 Nations Cup will join up with the squad after the break having served up the one week break granted them.

Lobi Stars centre back Samson Gbadebo is also expected to join up with the team as a possible replacement for Christian Madu who was injured in training and might not be fit before the tournament starts.



By: Joe Apu
      (The Sun)