We’re Ready For Angola —Home Based Eagles

The Nigerian soccer team, made up mainly of local players, have declared their readiness to show the stuff in them when they confront Angola’s Palanca Negras in an international friendly match in the Abuja National Stadium this evening.

Some of the players, who spoke to P.M.Sports ahead of the match which coach Stephen Keshi wants to use to prepare for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda next month, said this is an opportunity for them to show Nigerians that they are better options to the foreign-based players.

“I have been impacted on positively in training and I’m ready to show this against Angola on Wednesday (today). What I’ve experienced in camp is too significant for me not to do well against Angola. Insha Allah, we shall come out victorious,” said defender, Papa Idris.

“At the moment, we are the national team of Nigeria, the Team A, the foreign based players will soon find that out. And with the calibre of players we have here, victory is sure for us because we are focused, strong and ready for victory,” striker Kalu Uche boasted.

“This is my second time in the Eagles’ camp and I have not been drilled like this before. We have to prove to the world that we can hold our own against any team because at this moment we are the real Nigerian national team. Personally, I will put in my best and I know by God’s grace we’ll be victorious,” said defender Azubuike Egwueke.

Chigozie Agim, who has been handed the task of manning the goal area of the Eagles in the friendly by goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu said: “We have learnt a lot from our coaches, and we must tell every Nigerian that we can do it. Nigerians should just keep praying for us and those who can make it to the stadium should come out en masse to cheer the team to victory,” he said.

—Francis Achi/Abuja