Super Eagles well prepared for Ghana match – Chidozie Awaziem
Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem has expressed his readiness and that of his teammates for the rivalry with the Black Stars of Ghana.
The two West African neighbours who maintain one of the long-standing rivalries in football on the continent will face off in an international friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Friday.
With a full house recorded in the camps of the two teams in the North African country, Nigeria has intensified preparations for the friendly game which normally has a colouration of competitiveness in it.
The Super Eagles will be preparing for a game without Jose Peseiro in two years after the Portuguese football tactician and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) ended their relationship recently, as both camps could not agree on a new deal.
Meanwhile, the NFF has assigned Enyimba coach, Finidi George, who served as an assistant to Peseiro to take charge of the team on a temporary basis for the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali on March 22 and 26 respectively.
In an interview with NFF TV, Awaziem who found himself on the fringes at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, said the players are getting used to how Finidi wants them to play.
“We are here in Marrakech, Morocco, we just finished with the second training session and it has been wonderful and amazing,” said Awaziem.
“The atmosphere is good, the weather condition is very good and we are focused on the friendly game ahead and we are also getting along with our coach.
“Basically, he knows everything about the team because he has been a part of us, so I think it is not going to be difficult for him.”
The Boavista of Portugal central defender added that Finidi did amazingly well in the two training sessions he has so far overseen in Morocco.
Awaziem also told NFF TV that he hopes the Super Eagles are going to have a good one with their interim manager.
The former CD Leganes of Spain centre-back further said that he and his fellow Nigerian internationals are planning to have a good game against Ghana.
“We know the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana, so we are all prepared and focused on the game,” stated Awaziem.
“Football is not a game of fight, it is a sport, so we will just go in there to play football and try to come out victorious.”