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Exactly a week ago a Super Eagles team dominated by local players bravely battled to a one-all draw against a Catalonian Selected Side that featured 10 stars of Barcelona in an international friendly in Spain.

This night, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, decided to field what is assumed to be his first team against giant killers but Nations Cup debutants Cape Verde in another pre-tournament friendly, this time in Portugal. Unlike what obtained in Spain, the Eagles big boys fired blank to end it goalless.

In fact, News Express counted only ONE SHOT AT GOAL by the Nigerian squad – by midfielder Mikel Obi, in the 80^th minute of play.

The first half was uneventful, with the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde dictating the pace of the game. Perhaps as a sign of their frustration, the Eagles resorted to unfair play, picking up four yellow cards in the process. Another highlight of the stanza was the introduction of first choice goalie Vincent Enyeama for Austin Ejide, who picked up a knock from an opposing player. Ejide had benched Enyeama as News Express said he would.

On the restart, the Eagles upped their game following the introduction of Nosa Igiebor, Brown Ideye and, later, Obiora Nwankwo. There was better co-ordination and more dominance of the midfield but no apparent hunger for goals. The gritty can-do spirit of the local players was lacking.

It is not clear if the late arrival in cap of most of the foreign-based players affected their play but analysts believe that the squad must raise their game if they are to live up to expectation in South Africa during the 29^th Africa Cup of Nations holding Jan. 19 to Feb. 10.

The Nigerians are rated among the favourites for the Cup and Keshi is expected to name his 23-man squad any moment from now.

•Photo: Mikel Obi took the only on-target shot by Nigeria throughout the match.

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