As the 2014 African Nations Championship in January draws nearer, the Super Eagles are reportedly short of Adidas training kits, thus resorting to sub-standard kits in preparation for the event, reports ’TANA AIYEJINA

As African football fans anxiously await the commencement of the 2014 African Nations Championship, scheduled for South Africa from January 11 to February 1, it is not the same story for Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles, who are making their debut in the competition.

The Eagles are taking part in the competition exclusively designed for African players active in their domestic leagues, for the first time, having failed to qualify for the two previous events in Cote d’Ivoire (2009) and Sudan (2011).

But our correspondent gathered exclusively that the team, which began preparations for the championship on December 10 in Abuja, with coach Stephen Keshi inviting 30 players to camp, have no training kits.

It was learnt that the players were made to settle for sub-standard kits reportedly bought in Lagos by the football federation.

An official of the team, who pleaded anonymity, said the players have been alternating the few training kits left.

He said, “As I speak to you, the national team doesn’t have kits in camp with few weeks to the 2014 CHAN. Chidi (an official of the team in charge of balls and kits) was sent to the market to buy kits last week.

“When we asked for the kits, we were told that some were shared to government officials and the others to the junior national teams. We don’t knoww the manner of contract they signed with Adidas.”

All efforts to reach the media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya, proved abortive as his phone was switched off.

However, when our correspondent called the Nigeria Football Federation spokesman, Ademola Olajire, for his reaction, he replied, “Let’s talk later. I don’t understand what you are saying.”

One of the players in camp, who also pleaded not to be named, said it was a dishonour to the home-based players.

“I don’t know why they are treating us like this. Is it because we are home-based players? The foreign-based pros cannot be treated like this,” he said.

Former Eagles centre-back, Taribo West, lamented the sad development, saying it was worrisome that the team had no kits to train with ahead of a major competition like CHAN.

The Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games gold medalist said it was part of efforts by some people to frustrate the efforts of Keshi.

Taribo said, “In our time (in the Eagles) the officials even gave out the kits to their girlfriends. Somebody can just lock them somewhere just to punish the boys because they are home-based.

“They will do everything to frustrate the team because they want Keshi to fail. They said ex-internationals were not good coaches. Keshi came in and has been giving us favourable results but they want the downfall of the man and the team. However, they won’t succeed.”

Despite the shortcoming, the team’s technical crew has been working tirelessly to ensure that the final squad put up a fine performance in South Africa next month.

What first caught the eye when Keshi’s list of 30 was released was the inclusion of Kelechi Iheanacho, Dele Alampasu and Taiwo Awoniyi, the trio members of the Golden Eaglets that won the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in November.

In the team’s first practice match, goals from Gbolahan Salami, Aliyu Abubakar, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Oghenekavro Etebor gave the Eagles a 4-1 win over newly promoted Nigerian National League side, Prisons FC of Abuja.

On December 16, Keshi changed the team’s training schedule from once daily to twice as he toughened the players ahead of the competition.

Two players Bayelsa United midfielder Mohammed Ajia and Elkanemi defender, Reuben Ogbonnaya, were dropped for low productivity while Bendel Insurance duo of Obannu Erhune and Ikeleji Bello were brought in as their replacements.

Also invited were Warri Wolves midfielder Ewenike Achibi and Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh.

On Wednesday, Barnabas Imenger and Ikechukwu Azubuike’s goals helped the national side to a 2-0 win over hard-fighting Niger Tornadoes in Abuja.

Even though the team may not have the opportunity of playing another national team before the commencement of CHAN, observers are optimistic that the team can get the job done in South Africa, just like their counterparts did early in the year, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations for a third time.

“South Africa is a fertile land for Nigeria and the team can do it again. They can win the double despite the insensitivity of the officials,” Taribo said.

Former Nigeria midfielder, Etim Esin, was also upbeat about the home-based Eagles’ chances of conquering Africa despite participating in the competition for the first time.

“In Africa, you cannot write-off Nigeria. We may not have the best league, but we have the best players; players who are hungry to succeed and make names for themselves. I think that will be the driving force when the boys get to South Africa,” Esin said.

Ex-junior international, Mike Onyemachara, said, “We’ve got fantastic players who can get the CHAN job done.”

However, Keshi has lamented the absence of the trio of Gabriel Oboabona, Gabriel Reuben and Juwon Oshaniwa from the team.

The players, once the foundation on which the team was built, have secured contracts in Turkey, Scotland and Israel respectively.

“The only problem we have is that of time; we have little time to prepare but we will still give it our best shot and ensure that we replace some of our players that have left us for bigger things abroad,” Keshi said.

But the former Nigeria captain refused to make promises.

“It’s because we’ve got little or no time and we are working with new boys on this project. I hope we do the nation proud in CHAN but I cannot promise the trophy,” he added.

The creation of CHAN by the Confederation of African Football was a response to the desire to revive and strengthen domestic leagues on the continent regularly weakened by a mass exodus of top players who leave their home countries to play for foreign teams.

Congo DR won the first edition in 2009, beating Ghana 2-0 in the final while Tunisia defeated Angola 3-0 two years ago to emerge the champions of Africa at that level.

http://www.punchng.com/sports/chan-2014-shame-home-based-eagles-lack-training-kits/

I think these guys should be treated like their foreign counterparts. It is totally unfair and inhumane to treat them like this because they are home based. Chan Eages are also called Super Eagles.