The setting for anything from joyous celebrations to intense
team-talks, the team bus – much like the dressing room – is usually a
very private place.
However,
Nigeria
captain Patience Okaeme invited us on board for a fascinating insight
to her side’s preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada
2014.
“We don’t normally listen to music on the bus or in the
changing room before games, but we do sing,” said Okaeme with a broad
smile, before revealing the identity of the team’s number one chanteuse:
“Sarah (Nnodim) is the best out of all of us. We follow her, we clap
along and we dance. It’s fun.”
With Nigeria about to play their
opening game at Canada 2014, coach Peter Dedevbo and his charges are
finalising their preparations, and the aforementioned bus is headed
straight for the training ground, where the Super Falconets will undergo
their second practice session of the day.
Today there is no
singing or dancing, only a silence broken by the occasional whispered
conversation.
Dedevbo’s players are clearly saving their strength for
Wednesday’s Group C clash with Mexico.
“Our preparations for the
tournament have been tough because we’re training twice a day,” said
the skipper. “That’s what we were doing in Nigeria, and we’ve carried on
here. I’m sure it’s going to help us when the competition starts.” courtesy FIFA.COM
