The senior national team of Zambia had their first training session in Nigeria ahead of their clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Uyo on Saturday.
Zambia are expected to arrive Uyo later today, but had a one hour session in Abuja at the popular astro turf pitch to loosen up after arriving Abuja yesterday evening fron Ghana, where they had a training camp.
It started with the players observing the traditional warm up session which lasted a little over twenty-five minutes, before doing drills on shooting with the players up against the three goalkeepers of the team.
Coach Wedson Nyirenda later shared them into two teams for a training match, which had a lot to do with how they could play against Nigeria as the coach spent time on counter-attack drills.
Nyirenda also spent time with his defenders on drills that has to do with defending as a unit, with details on tracking the runs of quick forwards very much a part of the drill.
However the players were a bit uncomfortable with the nature of the playing surface of the astro turf , and as early as 40 minutes into the session that lasted a little over an hour they looked uncomfortable.
They won’t have to bother much about playing on astro turf as Saturday’s game which will be played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo will be on a pitch with natural grass.
Osas Mahawi
