The Super Eagles’ preparations for their September 8 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifier against Lone Star of Liberia will be put on hold for five days, as the players are billed to go on break immediately after their midweek international friendly against Niger Republic.

This much was disclosed Wednesday morning by Eagles’ media officer, Ben Alaiya, while fielding questions on Lagos-based radio, Star FM programme, Mega Sports, during which he stated that the head coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi (Big Boss) had approved time out for the squad to observe the end of Ramadan.

To this end, all the players will get a long break for the weekend, as well as Monday and Tuesday, which have already been declared public holidays by the Nigerian government, to enable Muslim faithfuls across the country celebrate Id-El-Fitri with friends and family.

“The team should be back in Nigeria by Friday morning,” said the veteran journalist, editor and general manager of SportsDay newspaper, with a hint that the Nigerian delegation may have to spend the whole of Thursday cooling off in Niamey before returning home almost 24 hours after Wednesday’s match.

Sam O'Femi Fasetire