NPFL All-stars Train In Spain Ahead Of First Game Against Valencia

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) All-Stars trained Tuesday morning ahead of their first match against Valencia on a playing tour of Spain tomorrow night.

The training session started by 8.30am and it lasted for two hours under the supervision of coach Salisu Yusuf.

The squad arrived Spain Monday night and are booked into the NH Hotel in Valencia.

The friendly against Valencia will kick off at 10.30pm Nigerian time at the Estadio Luis Sunapico, Alzira, Valencia.

Technical Adviser of the Nigeria Professional Football League All-Star team Salisu Yusuf has assured that the players will give a good representation of Nigeria as they file out against Valencia CF on Wednesday to begin action in their tour of the Spanish La Liga.

Yusuf spoke at a press conference at the Valencia FC Media Centre alongside Valencia coach, Pako Ayestaran, shortly after the NPFL All-Stars concluded their morning training session at the Valencia FC Cuitat Esportiva.

"We know that Valencia is a big club in a big league," Super Eagles coach Yusuf said. "We have seen their high standard facilities and good level of organisation but we are here to give a good account of ourselves and to promote our country and our football. 

We will give Valencia a good match. We know their style of play. We know they like to attack and they like to win and we are ready for them."

Ayestaran said he has not particularly followed developments in the NPFL but he has some general knowledge about Nigerian football and believes the match against the Nigerian league All-Stars will help Valencia in their build-up to the season opener just a few days away.

"I have not particularly followed the evolution of the Nigerian league," he said. I have worked abroad for some time but perhaps I just concentrated on my job. 

However, I know that Nigeria football is strong on attack and the players are aggressive and strong. We are building up now to the opening of the season with several warm-up games and the match against the NPFL All-Star will add to our preparation for season opener. Perhaps, my players may not be as fresh as they should be when the season kicks off in ten days time."

Ayestaran pointed out that Valencia do not go on break as some clubs do, but only takes a transition after each season and added: "One of the main targets of the club is to be in the Champions League at the end of the season".