The Super Eagles interim Head Coach, Austin Eguavoen has reacted to the Super Eagles 2 nil victory over Coton Sports in a pre-AFCON friendly game on Friday.
Eagles got their first goal through Skipper Ahmed musa in the first half before Villareal winger, Samuel Chukwueze sealed up the game with his goal in the second half of the encounter.
Speaking to NFF Tv after the preparatory match, Eguavoen, who said the game was set up to see how the players would fare under the weather condition of the region noted that it was an impressive game for the Eagles.
He noted the need to improve in front of goals and adaptation to the weather condition as some of the major takeaways from the game.
” Impressive! We played two sets of teams -the first half was 11 players and the second half with another 11 players just to see how they can fare and cope with the weather condition. I can tell you we struggle a little bit with the weather, but in terms of ball possesion and movement; I think we are very impressive and it’s a very good thing for us”
The tactician, although says the players had approached the game with caution in order to avoid injuries, he pointed out that all the players who featured in the game performed very well.
“They did very well, it’s a little bit difficult to compare the two teams now, in the first half, we missed couple of chances; scored a goal and in the second half ,scored a goal and missed couple of chances. It’s a practice Match and nobody actually want to play with full force we try to play safe a little bit- but I think we are impressed with everybody that came in”.
When asked about the level at which the players had implemented his game tactics and strategies, he stated that although fatigue had effects on his men, but didn’t do bad effecting his instructions.
“Yes! we did but at some point we didn’t just because of fatigue, the ball movement was a bit faster which we required and they are doing that -but as the game progresssed, you could see fatigue actually setting in; so when ever they recuperate you always see them going out there and do exactly what we wanted them to do”
Eguavoen said the team would need to be more conscious and proactive in front of goals,even as he noted that the Technical crew will work on their lapses ahead of the continental showpiece.
“In front of goals we are to few- that’s something we have to work on, crosses are coming well, ball possession are good, playing to the side which is our strength is very good but arriving the box with fewer players is not too good and that’s what we are going to work on in the next few days”
Eagles will face Pharaohs of Egypt in their opening game of AFCON on 11th of January,2022.
