Super Eagles interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen has demanded 100% commitment from his players and told them to play according to instructions ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

Eguavoen demanded “100 per cent commitment from the boys,” pointing out that he had explained the way “I want them to play.”

He added, “So the next job for me now is to see how they apply their skills and abilities during our training sessions and see those who best fit into the various positions and the way we want to play.”

Eguavoen made the remarks after the team’s first training session at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday in Abuja.

Zaidu Sanusi of FC Porto, Portugal, who arrived at the team’s camp, brought the number of arrivals to 12 players who participated in the team’s first training session.

The coach said the players were being put through their paces and expressed delight with their performances, adding that he saw a lot of energy and speed in the team.

“I am very impressed with what I’ve seen today. The team is a good blend of both the young and experienced players. A majority of the players that made the 28-man list and who participated in the team’s first training session today are quite young,” stated Eguavoen. “So, there is a lot of energy, there’s a lot of speed, and that’s exactly what you need in the game of modern-day football.”

The coach also expressed his disappointment over the absence of some key players in the squad.

“I was in constant touch with Emmanuel Dennis, and he indeed made a lot of efforts (to join the Super Eagles squad). But his club (Watford FC) refused to release him, and unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do about the situation,” Aguavoen revealed.

The Super Eagles will have two more training sessions before flying out of the country on Wednesday to their camp in Garoua, Cameroon.

(NAN)