World Cup: ‘Keshi’s Eagles Will Surpass ’94 Squad Record’

Sunday Akintoye

Ex-international, Austin Eguaveon, has expressed confidence that Super Eagles led by Coach Stephen Keshi will surpass the record of the 1994 squad in 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria will face Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F of the preliminary round of the world championship.

Eguaveon, a member of Super Eagles that reached second round stage in 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA disclosed that with the calibre of players Keshi invited to camp, he is optimistic that the Africa champions will go beyond the second round stage this time around.

 “I believe that the Eagles will not only qualify from the group stage but they will reach the quarter final of the tournament. Our group is not too tough compare to some groups in the tournament. I look at the opponents, the Eagles will meet in the round of 16, I think Nigeria have a good chance of reaching the quarter final stage,” he said.

Recounting how the country failed to progress to the quarter final stage in the 1994 World Cup, the former Eagles’ defender blamed the team’s inexperience as the cause of Nigeria’s woes at USA ’94.

Nigeria were on the verge of a famous victory over Italy in the second round before the Azzuri recovered with two minutes left to play and broke Nigerians’ hearts, after Roberto Baggio scored an extra-time penalty goal to secure a 2-1 victory. Eguavoen, who conceded the foul that was ruled a penalty infraction, recalled that Nigeria had the most balanced team at USA ’94 but failed to handle the tempo because it was the first time the players were appearing at the World Cup.