Wilfred Ndidi, a key player for the Nigeria Super Eagles, spoke candidly about how the late arrival of some teammates has disrupted their training schedule.
The Super Eagles have been in camp in Uyo since last week, gearing up for their World Cup Qualifying match against South Africa on Friday. However, the ongoing strike delayed the arrival of several players, causing significant disruption to their training plans.
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Ndidi expressed his concerns about the impact of these delays. “To be honest, it has affected the preparation because normally we are supposed to start training on Saturday and like three days are gone of not being together,” he said.
The absence of key players meant that the team couldn’t practice cohesively or strategize effectively. Ndidi noted that this delay has prevented the team from properly planning their approach to the game.
Despite these challenges, Ndidi remains optimistic. He mentioned that a few players arrived today and others are expected tomorrow, which he believes will allow the team to prepare more effectively.
“I think a few of them coming in today and then the others coming in tomorrow would be a great addition for us to prepare quicker, you know, before then,” he added.
Reflecting on the heightened expectations from Nigerian fans following their performance at the AFCON, Ndidi acknowledged the pressure on the team.
“The way we performed at the AFCON has raised some standards and then the expectations now are high,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of fan support and assured that the team is focused on giving their best performance, particularly in the upcoming match against South Africa.
“We just need the support and then we try and do our best because we know these two games are very important,” he stated.
The Super Eagles are aware that the South African team is coming with a desire for revenge, adding another layer of difficulty to the match.
“Yeah, of course, it makes it even more difficult because looking back on what we did in the AFCON. they’re coming actually to come for revenge,” Ndidi explained.
He anticipates a challenging game but believes it will be an interesting and competitive encounter.
The Super Eagles’ match against South Africa is set to kick off on Friday evening, and despite the training disruptions, the team is determined to rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance.
