Gbenga Dosumu, Assistant Coach of Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF) has said that the ongoing pre-national camp programme was fundamental to preparations for 5TH Cup of African Nations for Amputee Football (CANAF)
Dosumu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that there was need to engage the footballers ahead of the national camp scheduled for Aug. 1 in Lagos for the tournament.
He said that the Federation had proposed a national camp in Lagos for footballers selected in the trials held in June ahead of CANAF scheduled for Angola in September.
“Preparations for 2019 CANAF is on. The 2nd phase trials will come up within the camping; so we are observing a pre-camp programme, rather than waiting for the official commencement next month.
“We have, therefore, drawn up a programme and equally increased intensity of our training so that we can have enough time to really impart techniques; making it reflect on their individual skills and team display.
“We introduced this initiative to the footballers and welcomed it and so far have been coming, showing commitment toward making the national team in the camp trial.’’ he said.
The NAFF assistant coach said that part of the reasons for the pre-camp ongoing training was to absorb some new players that were selected in the first phase trial.
According to him, the programme will go a long way to get new players acquainted to basics, identify areas of potential, develop their wings on the field and build team spirit in them.
Pius Asaba, Acting Technical Director of NAFF told NAN that the Federation was working out plans to invite the 22 selected footballers and coaching crew to national camp.
Asaba said that the national camp slated for Lagos in August would hold the 2nd phase trials to pick best 11 that would form the national team for the CANAF tournament.
“We are working because the national camp is necessary to blend new and old players because we are still going to evaluate them through another trial in the camp.
“Good thing that they are gradually preparing ahead because the selection will be strictly based on skill and the ability to play as a team to achieve a common goal,’’ Asaba said.
He said that friendly matches with neighbouring countries would be part of the programmes in the national camp, saying that it was needed to strengthen their preparations for the tournament.
NAN reports that NAFF would participate in the 5th edition of Federation Africa for Amputee Football (FAAF) organised by CANAF holding in Angola in September.
CANAF is part of the qualifiers for 2020 Amputee Football World Cup.
