Interim Super Eagles manager Austin Eguavoen has outlined a measured approach to the team’s preparation for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, stressing the importance of tactical drills over strenuous physical training.
The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin as guests on Thursday, 14 November, before hosting Rwanda on Monday, 18 November.
The team remains unbeaten in their opening four matches, securing three victories and a draw, and currently sit atop the Group D table with 10 points.
With just two or three sessions planned before matchday, Eguavoen believes the players' professionalism and fitness will be key to achieving the right result.
Super Eagles to prioritise tactical preparation
In an interview with Victor Modo, Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, speaking on behalf of Eguavoen explained that the focus would be on tactical drills rather than intense physical training, considering the players' ongoing club commitments.
“The team will train later tonight at about 7pm,” Efoghe relayed from Eguavoen. “The coaching crew has said they would not stretch the players with too many training regimes, because the season is one and they have been playing for their clubs, so it makes no sense pushing them too hard physically.”
He continued, “What they need to do is some tactical exercises and fine-tune the team to play together as a unit and get the right result.”
With just two or three training sessions scheduled before the matchday, Efoghe emphasised that the players’ professionalism would ensure they are prepared. “These guys are professionals and have some of the best legs in the world,” he added.
By Tuesday afternoon, the number of players in the Super Eagles camp had swelled to 21, with only two invitees still to join up for the match in Abidjan.
