The weak points of Nigeria’s senior national side, the Super Eagles, became exposed in the team’s first test game played in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, today. The game with newly promoted Nasarawa United 1-1.

After the game, Nasarawa coach Alphonsus Dike urged the Super Eagles handlers to work on the concentration of the players.

“The players were quite good and among the best in the country, but the need to improve in the area of concentration because that was what caused the goal my team scored against them,” he said.

Eagles gaffer Stephen Keshi started the game with Femi Thomas, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuewke, Gabriel Reuben, Sunday Mba, Fegor Ogude, Tony Okpotu, Ejike Uzoenyi and Gambo Mohammed in the first half and brought on a new set of 11 players in the second half. All the players are home-based except for Fegor Ogude of Velaranga of Norway, who is holidaying in the country and was called to camp.

The Eagles dominated Nasarawa and should have been at least two goals up in the first 10 minutes, but the chances they created were wasted by Mba, Reuben and Gambo.

The Eagles were punished in the 18th minute when Nasarawa’s Ibrahim Ibrahim capitalised on a defensive mix-up by the national team to put his team ahead.

The Eagles then lifted their game in search of an equaliser and they were rewarded when a Nasarawa defender held a goal-bound shot and from the resulting penalty Mba leveled scores in the 44th minute.

The new set of Eagles that took to the pitch in the second half include Chibuzor Okonkwo, who has been recalled to the team after being excluded for defying Keshi and travelling out for trials in England, Gomo Onduko, Ubale Mannir, Papa Idris, Henry Uche, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Zango Umar and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
Unsatisfied with what he saw during the game, Keshi sent the players back to the pitch for another 20-minute drill.

•Photo: Defence man Chibuzor Okoronkwo (right) is back in the team.

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