4th June, 2011
Former Super Eagles’ player, Tijani Babangida, has faulted the traveling arrangement of the senior national team ahead of their African Cup of Nations qualifer against Ethiopia.
The Eagles and their coaches, led by Samson Siasia are scheduled to leave the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja by 7pm today and arrive Addis Ababa by 2am tomorrow, the day they will play the Waylas Antelopes.
Babangida, former Eagles’ winger, described the traveling arrangement of Siasia and his team as very unfortunate for a Nigerian team who ought to have been in Addis Ababa long enough to get used to the weather ahead of the crucial match.
They must win the tie to be in strong contention for their group’s sole ticket for next year’s Nations Cup finals.
“This won’t help the Eagles,” said Babangida on Brila FM today.
“The team ought to have traveled before today to enable the players, who are mostly based in Europe to get used to the weather condition in Addis Ababa.,” he said.
Meanwhile, two Super Eagles players, defender Dele Adeleye and Ehigho Ehiosun have assured Nigerians of a good outing in tomorrow’s match.
Adeleye said the morale in Eagles’ camp is high, adding that the 4-1 bashing of Argentina in Wednesday’s international friendly tie played at the Abuja National Stadium, was another morale booster for the team to go all out for victory over the Ethiopians.
“Though the match won’t be easy, I’m sure we will win,” said the former 3SC of Ibadan star.
Ehiosun, Siasia’s new discovery from Warri Wolves said: “There will be goals in the match. It doesn’t matter whether the goals are from me or not, I know that God will make it happen for us.”
By Taiwo Adelu