Eagles’ Mali, Luxemburg friendlies a good test for players, says Agu

Former Super Eagles Goalkeepers’ Trainer, Alloy Agu, has called on the players invited for the international friendlies against Mali and Luxemburg to approach the matches with all seriousness, saying the warm up games will go a long way in shaping the team ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers slated to begin later this year.

Agu believes the Eagles have the ability to re-launch themselves to global reckoning if quality friendlies were organised to build the team, adding that such games could throw up young and talented players for the country.

The former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper also wants the friendlies to serve as guide to the technical crew, led by Coach Salisu Yusuf, to work on the deficiencies of the team.

He added that victories in the games would boost the Super Eagles’ position in the FIFA rankings, as well as instill confidence in the players ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Agu urged football followers to remain steadfast in their support for the team, stressing that after losing the 2017 African Nations Cup ticket, the Eagles need encouragement and prayers to excel in future assignments.

“The Eagles friendly against Mali and Luxemburg to me is a Grade A friendly that should be approached with seriousness. Playing a friendly game outside the country will boost the confidence of the team. I am confident that Coach Salisu Yusuf will get it right in the task of preparing the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

“The only thing the team needs now is for the coaches to give the best players the opportunity to prove themselves. That way, he will discover players that will fight like wounded lions on the pitch. I think these friendlies would also help him to correct the lapses in the team before the World Cup qualifiers begin,” he said.

On Vincent Enyeama’s retirement from the senior national team, Agu posited that the former Enyimba captain still has what it takes to return to play for Nigeria, adding, however, that the decision to come out of retirement rested solely on the 2010 World Cup hero.
The Super Eagles warm up match with Mali will kick-off by 7:00 p.m. in Rouen on May 27. Rouen is a city close to Saint Etienne, which is about 135 kilometres ‎from the French capital, Paris.

Meanwhile, Nigerian officials ‎and some of the players were expected to fly out to France from Abuja last night. According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed that the coaches have told the invited players to report at the Novotel Hotel in Rouen today or forget the game.The team will have their first training session this night.