5 things we learnt from Super Eagles Wednesday’s training

The Super Eagles of Nigeria had their second training on Wednesday, October 4 ahead of their crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Nigeria will face Zambia on Saturday, October 7 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Ahead of the game, the Super Eagles had a full house in training following the arrival of the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ogenyi Onazi and Victor Moses.

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These players were not present at the first training on Tuesday, October 3 but joined in the second one.

The training that lasted an hour and 15 minutes under light rain started with the outfield players being put through their pace with the ball for 15 minutes.

Afterwards, Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr split the team into two Mikel Obi and Onazi both teams in a practice match.

Five things we learnt from Wednesday’s training

1. The spirit is high in camp

The Super Eagles players are all ready for the game for the game against Zambia. The training was very lively as the players put in their best to prepare for the Zambia game.

The training was intense as the players battled it out to avoid being on a losing side in the training match.

2. Gernot very serious about the ‘Oyinbo Wall’

William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun have an exciting partnership in Super Eagles defence which has been nicknamed ‘Oyinbo Wall’.

The partnership was hailed by many following the win and a draw in the doubleheader against Cameroon and Super Eagles boss Rohr is very serious about it now.

To improve the already good partnership, Rohr in Wednesday’s training selected both defenders in the same team during the practice match. This is to keep improving their understanding and communication.

3. Alex Iwobi seems to be Super Eagles best passer

Back with the Super Eagles after missing the doubleheader against Cameroon in September, Iwobi was very lively in Wednesday’s training.

The Arsenal star was his usual self, slinging passes together in both the practice match and the passing drill in training.

Captain Mikel Obi is a great passer of the ball and currently the first choice in midfield but from what we saw in Wednesday’s training session, Iwobi is not far off from the Super Eagles starting XI.

4. Chidozie Awaziem has finally settled in

Awaziem had a terrible outing in his first competitive game for the Super Eagles as Nigeria lost 2-0 at home to South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Since then the young defender has not started another game although he has been in the squad ever since.

In Wednesday’s training, Awaziem seemed to have finally settled in the team. On a back of some impressive performances for Nice in the French Ligue 1, the 20-year-old was very active in training.

A great future surely awaits the defender who looks very ready to end the ‘Oyinbo Wall’ partnership.

5. Daniel Akpeyi still has Gernot Rohr's trust

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Daniel Akpeyi had his share of blame following the 2-0 home loss to South Africa in June and has not been in post for Nigeria ever since.

Injury ruled him out of the doubleheader against Cameroon, handing an opportunity to Ikechukwu Ezenwa to stake a claim for the number one jersey.

Now back with the Super Eagles again, the goalkeeper was fully involved in training. There have even been rumours that the Chippa United FC of South Africa goalkeeper will be in goal against Zambia.