Coach Samson Siasia dropped six home-based players, including CHAN Eagles stars, Prince Aggreh, Ezekiel Bassey, Bright Onyedikachi and Chris Madaki.
The other players dropped are Wikki Tourist mid-fielder, Hassan Yau and Warri Wolves defender Oke Ogagatewho.
Super Eagles media officer Toyin Ibitoye, who confirmed this yesterday disclosed that the coaches have raised the stakes ahead of the crucial games against Egypt.
“The coaches are gradually cutting down the numbers,” Ibitoye announced.
“Next week, more players will be released to their clubs and some others will be transferred to the Olympic team also currently in camp ahead of the international friendly against Brazil.”
It was gathered that already some players have been noted for the chop, unless they show they have something extra to offer in the course of time.
“Everybody is working very hard. No player is sure of making the cut. There is fear among the players because coach Siasia is ready to throw any one out of the camp.
Although there have been serious efforts by the players to impress the technical crew, some of them are already underscored for disengagement in the coming days, especially after the unimpressive performance of the team in a friendly match during the week against the national Olympic team.
Coach Siasia had expressed total disappointment with the performance of the players and warned of the dire consequences of lack of seriousness.
“I am yet to see the hunger in all of you in all the friendly matches we have played so far since we opened this camp. We are facing Egypt in about two weeks and we will not stand any chance against them if we do not change our attitude,” Siasia said.
He added: “How can we, the Super Eagles, play against this NNL team and fail to create one clear– cut goal scoring opportunity? If we cannot create chances in this kind of game, when and where will we be able to create them? I know we are far better than this performance and will improve but we have to do so very quickly because there is no time.
The players are scared of getting the boot as the atmosphere in camp gets more intense.
“Everybody exhibits self-confidence in camp but beneath all that, there is fear of not making the second stage of the training when the foreign-based players arrive in camp.
“It is a battle for survival and only those who fit into coach Siasia’s training plans with the foreign-based will make the cut for the next stage.”
Siasia earlier in the week showed his zero tolerance for laxity when he barred three players from the camp for reporting late to the U-23 team without an earlier permission. defender Segun Oduduwa, midfielders Stanley Dimgba and Usman Mohammed were told to stay away for indiscipline.