The Nigeria senior national team had their first training in Lagos ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
The three-time African kings take on the Squirrels in the Group L fixture, as a win for the Super Eagles would earn them a berth in Cameroon 2022.
Under the watchful eyes of German tactician Gernot Rohr, all the invited players except Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho took part in the training focused on ball work.
Rohr’s men will hold their second warm-up on Wednesday evening to finetune their strategies for the important encounter against Michel Dussuyer’s team.
The first leg staged at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo ended in defeat for Benin, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu inspiring a 2-1 triumph, while their only strike was scored by Stephane Sessegnon.
Sadly, Sessegnon was omitted from his team’s 23-man squad as he remains without a club since the end of his spell at Turkish Super Lig outfit Genclerbirligi.
Nevertheless, the 36-year-old will be in the Squirrels camp as a non-playing captain to boost the morale of his teammates.
Nigeria lead Group L after accruing eight points from four outings, while Dussuyer’s side occupies second position with seven points, while Sierra Leone and Lesotho are third and fourth respectively.
Victory for Benin at Porto-Novo’s Stade Charles de Gaulle would guarantee them a ticket to their fifth appearance at the biennial African football showpiece.
After that, they head to the National Stadium Freetown for their last group fixture against the Leone Stars which could appear as a dead-rubber fixture.