5th September, 2013
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, who are currently preparing for the make or mar Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi billed for the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar Cross River State, southern Nigeria have continued to thrill the fans.
Source from Calabar informed P.M.NEWS Sports early Thursday that football fans in that city have continued to throng the Eagles’ training venue at the University of Calabar Sports Complex and their hotel, Transcorp Hotel.
The source disclosed that since the Eagles touched arrived Calabar, fans have been trooping to their camps to catch a glimpse of the Nigerian stars and to get their autographs.
The source, who is currently having his Post Graduate Diploma, PGD at the University of Calabar, hinted that despite heavy security presence around the Eagles, fans still scramble for their autographs and even taking photographs with them.
According to him: “As I speak, Calabar football fans are still excited with the presence of the Eagles. Most students of University of Calabar are also not left out of the frenzy because it is not easy to see these stars face-to-face. It is only on television we used to see these players, so having this privilege is a lifetime opportunity.”
He further stated that the fans are already looking forward to the tie with great expectations, believing that the Eagles would not only fly over their opponents, but quench their flames come Saturday.
“Calabar football fans are waiting with anxiously for the explosive clash and I must confess it has been the talking point for a very long time, the general view of the fans is that the Eagles would have an easy ride over the Malawians,” he said.
Meanwhile, Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has said that he would have to celebrate his birthday after a victory against the Malawians.
Enyeama was born on 29 August 1982 in Kaduna State, started his football career at defunct Ibom Stars.
He has been Nigeria’s first-choice since making his debut against England at the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002, and he deliberately shelved his birthday celebration aside to focus on the crucial qualifier against Malawi.
“We have come a long way and anything short of victory against Malawi would not be good enough considering our status in Africa,” he said.
Nigeria need only a draw to progress into the 10 team final elimination round of the Africa series for the World Cup finals.
Camp News
Chukwu Warns Keshi
Former Super Eagles’ handler, Christian Chukwu has advised the current coach of the team, Stephen Keshi to ensure that only players that are in good shape are fielded against the Flames of Malawi in Saturday’s 2014 World Cup Qualifier holding in Calabar, Cross River State.
Bamidele Olowsagba reports that Chukwu, who led Nigeria to a third place finish at the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, wants Eagles’ coaching crew not to depend solely on the form of the players in their clubs, but on the form they display in camp.
“My advice is for Keshi to make sure only players in good shape are fielded on Saturday because I suspect the Malawians to play a defensive pattern and occasionally try to take us on a counter attack. “In other to avoid being caught on a counter attack, Keshi should field players that are in shape based on camp form not what they were doing in their respective clubs in the European leagues,” Chukwu said.
We Miss Yobo —Enyeama
Super Eagles assistant captain, Vincent Enyeama has revealed that players of the Nigeria team miss captain, Joseph Yobo.
Yobo, Nigeria’s most capped player has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
“I wish Yobo was here in Calabar, unfortunately, he’s not. It’s up to the coach to decide who comes to the camp and who does not. It’s up to the coach to decide who comes and who does not but I really wish he was here,” Enyeama said.
“However, it’s an honour for me to captain this great side.”
Enyeama, who has been capped 84 times by Nigeria, then predicted a win for Nigeria over Malawi on Saturday.
“My prediction? A win for Nigeria and a loss for Malawi, of course,” he said.
—Adebobola Alawode