Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Austine Eguavoen has revealed that it was a difficult task trimming the squad from 26 to 22 players ahead of Saturday’s international friendly game against Mexico in the United States.

Eguavoen made this known during a chat with the Super Eagles media officer at the team’s training camp in Abuja on Tuesday.

The team is expected to depart the shores of Nigeria tonight and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, stated that they have mapped out a one-year plan where there would be periodic camping for the players.

“22 players are expected to traveling to the United States tonight. We had about 26 players in camp and we have been able to trim it down to 22. Yes, there have lots of improvement, am not saying that they were down there before but up there, but we also want to let them know how we want to play and trying to figure out what position is best for each player as well.

“It has not been easy because it has been very tough. You know when people criticize you, you should be able to accept it once you are in this job. But objective criticisms are welcome. But Again, this job is open to criticism anyway. 

“Like I said before that this job is not easy and selecting those players is also not easy. When the Honourable Minister of Sports (Sunday Dare) visited us they gave us a lot of commendations because it’s not easy working with a whole lot of players from the domestic league.

“Apologies to those who felt they should be here but are not here. This is not a one-off thing but a continuous thing. Recall that the Minister also told us that we should go back to the drawing board when we have periodic camping.”