27th January, 2011
Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Coach Ike Shorunmu, has assured that the team to face Guatemala in the international friendly billed for 9 February in Miami, USA will live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
Reiterating the coaching crew’s commitment to their first major assignment, Shorunmu  said it is their determination to return smiles on the faces of Nigerians.
The encounter with the Central American State will task the team’s readiness for the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia slated for 27 March in Nigeria.
“Expectations from us should be high and we are working very hard towards meeting it when we play Gautemala and the Obama invitational. Both matches will be used to test the new players as well as our level of readiness for the Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia,†he said.
The former Nigerian international, who explained the reasons the new Super Eagles coaches are investing in the local players, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the goalkeepers in camp.
“It is okay, we just started camping and they are not doing badly. I know that with time, they will meet our expectations.
“Every nation builds her national team around the local players and occasionally brings in a few of the professional players when they have major championships. That is the type of national team we want to build for Nigerians.
“Of course, there is nothing like home-based players, all the players are for Super Eagles. We once played in our local league before going abroad, so we want to give them the same opportunity to prove their worth,†he said.
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