Keshi Squad: Injury forces Nigeria’s Echiejile out, Uzoenyi recalled

The Super Eagles left defender, Elderson Echiejile, has been ruled out of the World Cup. The Monaco of France left full back suffered an injury in the first half of Nigeria’s friendly match against Greece and was substituted.

He was among the 23-man list Nigeria submitted to FIFA for the World Cup and was sure to start for the Eagles if fit.

Medics in the national team ruled Echiejile out of the Mundial with a hamstring injury that would take him between 10 days and three weeks to heal and return to full fitness.

Brazil 2014: Keshi declares Eagles fit for USA clash

The Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi is sure that the criticisms the Super Eagles have received in their build-up to the World Cup will stop after the match against the United States on Saturday.

The Eagles manager, in an interview on Thursday, said the players were now going through specific training programmes with the squad cut down to the exact 23 players billed to play in Brazil. 

He attributed the pattern of play exhibited so far by the players to the fact that they were just starting to train as a team. He said, “We all just started training as a team last week. Now we have increased the intensity and the focus has shifted to specifics. We simply played against Scotland with little or no training having just arrived in town but the players are in better conditions now and responding well. We are facing a good team as we play the USA but I am sure people are going to see a much coordinated and purposeful team. The game will be better.”

Brazil 2014: USA coach Klinsmann delighted to face Nigeria in pre-World Cup friendly before Ghana clash

The head coach of  US national team, Jurgen Klinsmann says he is thrilled by the opportunity to play against Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly that will prepare them to face Ghana at the tournament in Brazil. The German trainer is happy that the match will give them the chance to test an African opponent before they play the Black Stars at the World Cup especially when Nigeria are Ghana’s arch-rivals.

The game, the last in a three-match send-off programme organised by the United States Soccer Federation will hold on June 7 at the EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.