Ex- International, Jonathan Akpoborie has advised the Super Eagles handlers to increase the number of foreign professionals in the team if it must excel.

He gave the advice while speaking at the team's camp in the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar yesterday morning.

Akpoborie acknowledged that the home-based professionals have the quality, but insisted that Keshi needs more Euro-based professionals to add experience to the team.

"I have watched the team keenly and objectively and I think it's very encouraging but I think we still need more foreign based professionals in the team because of their experience."

He added that "I don't have any person in mind but I trust that Keshi has the experience to call up those that will add value to the team."

Meanwhile, the former International called on Nigerians to give the Super Eagles time to blend.

Akpoborie, who was at the camp to encourage the players, said he was delighted at what he has seen in the national team.

Also speaking, Franklin Howard, who played alongside Keshi in the glory days of NNB of Benin City, said he was in the team's camp to lend support to his old pal and the players and praised the vision of Keshi to give home based players a chance to fight for shirts in the national team.

The Unicem Rovers of Calabar Coach, said with what he has seen, Calabar will not only bring victory to the team but has the capacity to become the new home of the national team, because of the maturity and support base that football enjoys in Cross River. "If you bring Under 5 or Under 10 national team here, they will excel, because the people are simply crazy about soccer.

Famed former Calabar Rovers and NNB goalie, Etta Egbe, a son of the soil here in Cross River, says citizens of the state have been praying daily for the national team to excel on Sunday and he was sure that the team will not only win but win very well. "In churches, mosques and even traditional places, Cross Riverians have been praying for the Super Eagles and the much I have seen of Keshi's team, gives me hope that the team will conquer on Sunday", he said.