'We cannot complain' - Zimbabwe coach wowed by facilities in Uyo ahead of Super Eagles clash

Zimbabwe head coach, Michael Nees, expressed his satisfaction with the facilities in Uyo ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on Tuesday. 

The Warriors, who arrived in the Nigerian city for the upcoming fixture, have been impressed with their accommodation and training conditions, despite a slight delay in their travel.

Nees and his team faced some travel disruptions as their flight was cancelled, resulting in the loss of several hours.

However, once they arrived, they were quick to settle into their hotel, which the coach described as "fine" and spacious.

He even revealed that the hotel they are staying in was once used by Nigeria’s national team, which has since moved to another location.

"The hotel is fine, we've settled in. We were delayed yesterday because our flight was cancelled, so we lost a couple of hours," Nees told the Warriors media team.

"Hotel is very spacious, we cannot complain about that, that was the former hotel of Nigeria who have moved now to another hotel.”

Apart from the accommodation, the Zimbabwe coach had high praise for the training facilities. 

After conducting their training session on Sunday, Nees was full of positive comments about the quality of the training pitch in Uyo. 

The pitch, he said, was in excellent condition, offering a soft surface that allowed for easy movement without being too hard.

"You can see for yourself, we would be happy to have something like this in our own country – really very good, impressed," Nees remarked. 

The quality of the pitch has clearly left a strong impression on the Zimbabwean team, as they prepare for one of the most challenging fixtures of their World Cup qualification campaign.

When discussing the stadium pitch, Nees was equally optimistic. He mentioned that he expected an even better playing surface for the match itself. 

"The training pitch is soft, not too hard. The stadium pitch, I expect even better," he said, indicating that the team has high hopes for a smooth, comfortable playing experience come matchday.

The Warriors' positive reaction to the facilities in Uyo comes as a relief to their preparations, which have been somewhat disrupted by travel challenges. 

However, the team appears focused on making the most of their time in the city and preparing for the task ahead.

As the match against Nigeria looms, Nees and his team will be looking to capitalize on the quality training conditions to improve their chances of securing a vital result in their World Cup qualification bid. 

With the Super Eagles boasting a strong team, Zimbabwe will need all the advantage they can gain from the facilities in Uyo to put up a competitive performance.

Wale Adejumo

Photo Credit: zifa.org.zw

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