14th October, 2012
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has hailed his team as great after they whipped Liberia 6-1 to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on an 8-3 aggregate on Saturday.
A brace by Chelsea winger Victor Moses added to goals by Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Efe Ambrose turned back the Lone Star of Liberia, who had forced the star-studded Nigeria to a 2-2 draw in Monrovia last month.
And this would most certainly have exorcised the demons that haunted the country after they failed to qualify for the 2012 Nations Cup exactly a year ago.
“We had a great game. The boys where relaxed and expressed themselves. We got the most important thing which is the ticket to the Nations Cup,” saluted Keshi.
Keshi also thanked Nigerians for their support for the Eagles.
“I must thank Nigerians and most especially the people of Calabar for cheering the Eagles non-stop in this game. There is no better way to say thank you than to qualify for the Nations Cup in style.”
It was a fitting birthday gift for CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa, who clocked 20 on Sunday and played on an unfamiliar left wing to telling effect.
“Scoring today and helping my country qualify is the best personal birthday gift for myself,” he told MTNFootball.com
“I am very happy I got the goal but it’s the team that should take the praise because we worked together. But most importantly is that we have made Nigerians proud.
“I wanted the ticket as a gift but I didn’t only get the ticket, we got it in grand style by scoring six goals and me getting a goal.
“I am relieved now that we have rewarded our fans with the ticket and I am looking forward to a good outing at the competition next year.”
Musa said that he is grateful to God he is a year older.
“I thank God for making me see another year of my life. I am praying for a more fruitful year as I will continue to thank him for all that he is doing for me,” he said.