31st August, 2011
England-based Victor Anichebe has declared that the bad pitch of the stadium where the Super Eagles will play the Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Anatananarivo on Sunday won’t deter the team from winning the crucial match.
Anichebe, who was one of the 19 players that trained with Coach Samson Siasia at the Abuja National Stadium yesterday, said no matter the condition of the pitch of the stadium, the Eagles must win the match.
“I don’t think the state of the pitch should have any impact on our game because the players are professionals. We should be able to respond and adjust to any situation we find ourselves. Bad pitch or good pitch, we are winning the match,” Anichebe said.
Striker Obinna Nsofor said the most important thing is for Nigeria to beat Madagascar, adding that the spirit is high in the camp and the Eagles are raring to go.
“By the grace of God, we are winning on Sunday,” he said.
Ahmed Musa said that Coach Siasia had decided to excuse him from the qualifier against Madagascar after playing at the Colombia 2011 FIFA World Cup, “but I insisted that I want to play for my country. I’m still young and more importantly I need good playing time in the Eagles,” he said.
The Super Eagles are expected to depart for Antananarivo today by a chartered flight arranged by Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
By Taiwo Adelu