Super Eagles players and coaches have assured of their determination to earn a spot at the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, holding in Qatar this year.
At a virtual meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare and chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday night, Coaches Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke and the players said they are aware of the huge challenge that Ghana’s Black Stars will present in next month’s two-legged play-off, but are determined to emerge victorious.
Captain Ahmed Musa said: “The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world, and every player wants to feature there. A good number of the players in the team now have not been there, and the few of us that have been there want to experience it again. We just want the NFF to help us get enough fans into the Abuja Stadium for the second leg. We will go to Ghana and dig our feet and ensure we get a result. We must admit that Ghana also want to qualify and they have a strong team. The return leg will be crucial and we are ready for the battle, but we want our fans to be in there cheering us on.”
Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen is also very bullish about the teams chances against Ghana: “It is always an honour to serve the country. I was impressed with the high level of discipline and commitment of the players at the AFCON in Cameroon, and I feel privileged to lead the group. We have two tough games against Ghana next month but I am not too worried because we have a squad that knows it is a mountain that we have to climb. We have a good headache to deal with – which is a surplus of good players. I want to thank the Government and the NFF for all the support during the AFCON; we will need even greater support for the World Cup play-off.”
Chief Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said he was privileged to work with the team. “I have worked with some of the players in the U17 and U20 teams, and some others I have known for many years. We have the team to earn the World Cup ticket and we will put our best foot forward for each game.”
Deputy Captain William Ekong added that the players are aware of the big task ahead and only wants the Government to ensure that the pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja is in ‘pristine condition’ for the return leg encounter against the Black Stars. “We loved the pitch of the stadium in Garoua and it helped us play some good football. We would be delighted if the Abuja Stadium is in similar condition for the second leg.”
Nigeria, who have featured in six of the past seven FIFA World Cup finals, slug it out with the Black Stars in Cape Coast on Thursday, 24th of March with the reverse fixture holding at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 27th March.
