Anxiety, As World Cup Draw Holds

All over the world tension and apprehension have already engulfed respective coaches of the 32 teams that qualified for the Brazil 2014 World Cup as the draw for the tournament holds this evening in Osta do Sauipe in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

Already, army troops, Navy units and Federal Intelligence agents will be among the 3,600 armed guards deployed to Salvador for the FIFA World Cup draw amid fears of repeat protests.

FIFA along with the Brazilian government are taking no risks, with two guards assigned for every three guests with 4,800 accredited for the draw at the luxurious Costa de Sauipe resort.

The fear has also extended to the football federations of the qualified teams as they would not like to be pitched with national teams regarded as ‘formidable’ or favourites.

While some of the teams are seeking to avoid the already established teams, same cannot be said of the Nigerian team, stakeholders and their fans in general.

Reason is that some stakeholders and fans are divided over teams which the Super Eagles should be grouped with considering past experiences of the team at the Mundial.

A number of respondents are of the view that as African champions the Super Eagles should not be afraid of their would-be group opponents, but others feel the coach Stephen Keshi-led team should have minnows in their group so they can at least have a berth in the second round of the World Cup.

To erstwhile goalkeeper trainer of the Eagles, Joe Erico there should be no cause for alarm as stronger opponents tends to bring the best out of a team.

The draws may be fear to some members of the Eagles and their fans, but one of the players of the Eagles, Efe Ambrose of Celtic FC of Scotland is already brimming with confidence ahead of the draws.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s draws, the former Kaduna United defender, said the Eagles should not dread clashing with any team in the first round in Brazil; instead, other sides should be scared of meeting with the African champions.

“We are African champions and instead of trying to avoid any team in the group stage, it should be the other teams trying to avoid us. All we need to do is to prepare very well for the competition by playing some top friendlies, while the players should make sure that they are fit. We must be ready to play against the best teams in the world if we wish to make an impact at the World Cup,” Ambrose said.

—Adebobola Alawode