Super Eagles interim head coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has expressed worries over the possibility of playing the second leg of his side’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan at Abuja National Stadium and has openly declared that he would prefer the game holding at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna instead.
Speaking about his permutations heading into Saturday’s first leg, now billed to hold in Khartoum, as against initial reports of Omdurman staging the game, Keshi has also stated a desire that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will equally follow suit by changing their planned venue for the second leg.
Keshi stated categorically that has a strong preference for Kaduna, rather than Abuja, because he believes Nigerian soccer fans in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not come out in their teeming numbers to cheer his team to victory.
The reverse fixture on October 15 has been fixed for Abuja, but a top team official disclosed says Keshi is worried that the Eagles may not get enough support from fans and would opt for neigbouring Kaduna, which has a smaller stadium, but is guaranteed to be packed full with ardent supporters.
“Keshi has said he would love to face Sudan in Kaduna because he is sure the fans will come out in their numbers to cheer his team, this will not be the case in Abuja,” the official said.
Keshi also spoke about the shape of his squad, and admitted regrets over the spate of injuries that have hit his list of invitees, especially with the confirmed absence of Stoke City of England winger, Victor Moses.
The Big Boss said the injuries are regrettable but insisted that the other players are all still determined to revive their qualifying campaign for the AFCON 2015 in Morocco.
Moses was ruled out at the weekend on account of injury, while a thigh injury could also keep out Babatunde Michael out of the game, despite his spirited efforts to play, after turning up in camp on Monday.
Keshi told AfricanFootball.com he hopes the Eagles do not suffer more injury problems, while assuring they have put behind them the disappointing results of last month to forge ahead.
“We pray that everybody would be in good health because that is very important. We have already lost two players now, I hope that would be the last.
“We have put the past behind us. We are preparing ourselves against Sudan in Sudan. We are trying our best to prepare ourselves for success. Any team that is going out for a game prepare themselves to be victorious.
“Sometimes being third on the table doesn’t matter, it only challenges you more, makes you focus more and more determined and that is what we going to do,” Keshi stated.
