Eagles Promise To Lift Trophy

Members of home-based Super Eagles are talking tough after they defeated Niger Republic 4-0 to set a semi final clash against the runner up in Group B in the WAFU Nations Cup on Thursday.

The performance of the team in the tournament has been so impressive as many football pundits and journalists from other countries tip Nigeria to defend the title it won last year.

Some of the players who spoke to P.M. Sports at their hotel expressed confidence that they are ready to face any country, boasting that their target is to lift the cup for the second time.

Yusuf Jaiyeola, who plays for Kwara United, said no country can stop them from winning the title, adding that failure to win the title will be a serious set back for the team.

“We are not here to participate in the WAFU Cup, but to defend the title we won last year. We want to show Nigerians that we, the home-based players are capable of playing in the Super Eagles team,” he said, while Wasiu Sowemimo believed that the team is capable of going far and defend the title in the championship.

He admitted that their first match against Liberia, which they managed to win by a lone goal, was not too impressive, but hailed his team mates for their good showing in their second match against Niger.

“I know that people are saying that Ghana can stop us. Let me say that we are not here for Ghana, but to win the title. Nigerians should believe in us and stop criticising the team unnecessary,” he said.

Commenting on his performance in the tourney so far, the Kano Pillars player told P.M. Sports that he was satisfied with his performance, but admitted that his first match was too tough for the team.

“I had a good game and I am impressed with my performance. The only thing I can say is that our first match was not too impressive, but you can see that we played better in our second match,” said Sowemimo.

Meanwhile, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu is confident that Nigeria’s B Team is capable of putting up another sterling display when it plays in the semifinal of the WAFU Nations Cup on Thursday.

According to Ibenegbu, “we played better in the second match and I am confident that we will play better in the next match.”

The Heartland attacking mid-fielder also known as Mosquito, grabbed the brace for Nigeria in the 4-0 thumping, scoring in the third and 36th minutes of the game while Ehiosun Ekigho and Agwuocha White completed the routing on 57 and 90 minutes respectively.

Ibenegbu said his goals were as a result of great team work.

“I think I scored two goals because we played very well as a team. Ejike (Uzoenyi) and Ekigho made the game look easy with the way they played. Also, my team mates on the field played their roles very well and that is why we won convincingly.

“But I must say that I am happy that I got two goals and that we played well because we were not in our best in the first match although we won. Also, the weather has not been fair, but we have adapted and are now looking forward to our next match by the grace of God,” he said.

The former U-23 national team member is also happy that they kept clean sheets in their last two games, saying, “it is good that we didn’t concede any goal in our matches. Hopefully, we will continue that way in the next match.”

—Sunday Akintoye