The senior national team of Nigeria had their first full training session under interim coach Finidi George ahead of Friday’s friendly game against Ghana in the Morrocan city of Marrakesh, Owngoalnigeria.comreports.
Finidi will handle the team in interim capacity following the departure of Jose Peseiro, who left after the expiration of his contract. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) uplifted Finidi from his role as an assistant to the head coach for the two friendly games against Ghana and Mali respectively.
A total of 22 players took part in the session which lasted for one hour 45 minutes with emphasis on ball retention and circulation with the new coach keen on driving home his ideas.
The coach who was with the team at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations was keen to stress on how he wants the team to play against Ghana tomorrow, which is entirely different from the 3-4-3 formation that was majorly used for the tournament.
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He ensured they were lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which he feels will allow the attacking players in the team to be more expressive and also have less defensive responsibilities.
However, he was keen to stress that they will alternate formations as the game progresses pending on the result. He later had the players lined up for a test game.
Below is how they lined up for the training game.
Team A :
Stanley Nwabali
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Jamilu Collins
Chidozie Awaziem
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Sadiq Umar
Nathan Tella
Alhassan Yusuf
Alex Iwobi
Team B
Francis Uzoho
Benjamin Tanimu
Semi Ajayi
Bruno Onyemaechi
Calvin Bassey
Wilfred Ndidi
Kelechi Iheanacho
Raphael Onyedika
Cyriel Dessers
Frank Onyeka
