Eguavoen Wants Euro Training Camp

Olympic team coach Austin Eguavoen has proposed a European training camp for his squad ahead of the final phase of their Olympic qualifiers.

Turkey and Portugal are the two countries proposed by the former international defender met with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee on Tuesday in Abuja.

“This qualifying series is more of a championship and we are leaving nothing to chance in ensuring that we pick a ticket to London 2012,” Eguavoen said.

The proposed Euro trip will be the final leg of five-week preparation for the eight-nation qualifying tournament, with the first phase being camping with domestic league players.

“Plans are on to have the team camp in either Portugal or Turkey; this is one of the decision the Federations technical committee would be considering,” Olympic team media officer Arafat Aliu said.

Eguavoen also plans to arrange friendly games between his Under-23 side, and as yet unnamed European countries during the Fifa match free days this year.

Eight teams will participate in the elimination tournament to be held in Egypt from 26 November to 10 December.

The qualified teams are hosts Egypt, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.