4th September, 2013
Barely three days before the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Flames of Malawi in Calabar, Cross River State, southern Nigeria, former Eagles’ players, Segun Odegbami, Henry Nwosu, Paul Hamilton and ex-junior internationals, Taju Disu and Waidi Akanni have charged the Nigerian team to go all out for goals.
The coach Stephen Keshi-led Eagles need at least a draw against Malawi to secure a place in the final round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup that will take place in Brazil.
Odegbami, MON, said on Ray Power FM early today that the Eagles should sustain the momentum they had generated earlier in the qualifier by adhering to their coach’s instructions and go for goals in the match.
“Playing Malawi is not different from other matches that Keshi had led the team against in the past. My advice for them is to continue to do what they have been doing in those matches they won in the past.
“The most important thing is for them to go for goals in all chances they have in the course of the match,” Odegbami said.
Reiterating Odegbami’s stance is former Green Eagles’ star, Nwosu, who also believes Nigerians should not lose sleep over the Malawi tie because “Eagles will teach them how to play soccer” come Saturday.
Ex Flying Eagles defender, Disu, on his part, said Nigeria are clear favourites to win the match and qualify for the next round of the 2014 World Cup qualifier. He, however, cautioned the team not to underrate the Malawians.
Akanni, a former junior international warned the Eagles not to be carried away with the euphoria of their recent successes, but focus on this match as it would make or mar their chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ camp is gradually taking shape with almost all the invited players arriving for the tie.
The number of players in camp swelled up, with virtually all the players arriving on Tuesday and early today with only Shola Ameobi remaining.
However, only twelve players took part in the evening training session on Tuesday, because the other players were just arriving.
The players who sat out training are: Efe Ambrose, Sunday Mba,Ahmed Musa, Obinna Nsofor and Victor Moses. While Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel and Lille FC goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was among the 12 players that trained.
All 23 players are expected to take part in the morning training session on Wednesday.
The Malawian team is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday, and then make their way to Calabar for the game.
Camp News
Supporters’ Club Turns Prayer Warriors
The Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) on Tuesday held special prayer for the victory of Super Eagles over their opponent, Flames of Malawi, ahead of Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifying match.
The prayer session held at the club’s secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.
The Secretary of the club, Samuel Ikpea, who led the prayer session, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the match was a crucial one for the Nigeria team. He urged the Eagles not to take the Malawians for granted.
“Prayer session was necessary because in football, there is element of luck.
“We at NFSC do not want to take chances like what happened in Kano in 2006 that Nigeria did not qualify for the Germany World Cup,” he said.
“Nigeria has a lot at stake as the current African Champion if we fail to go the World Cup in Brazil.
“We have also called on all Nigerians to pray against any form of confusions among the players and the coaches during this game’’.
Mba Talks Tough
Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba is confident he will score against Malawi if he gets a chance to play against the Flames in Saturday’s 2014 FIFAWorld Cup qualifier at the UJ Esuene Stadium.
Mba scored twice for the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to gain national acclaim but the 24-year-old knows footballers are usually rated by their latest performances.
“People will soon forget I scored against the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso unless I continue putting in match-winning performances. I want a win on Saturday and I will be pleased to score against Malawi,” he told supersport.com.
Mba wants a win in the match and is fully committed to the cause of helping Nigeria achieve that feat.
“Of course we have all studied the (Group F) table and we know a draw is enough for us to advance,” he said.
“However, nobody in this team wants that kind of result. We are the African champions and we must strive to win every game we play even if it’s a friendly match.
“I have been working hard in training and I pray I get selected by the coach. I will fight to help the team win and if I score, it will be a bonus and that is my dream,” he said.
Mba has scored five goals in 17 appearances for Nigeria.
—Bamidele Olowosagba