Virtually every Nigerian (including the players) spoken to on today’s game is optimistic of a victory for the Super Eagles, even as a handful of pessimists, who have called for caution on the part of the Eagles, claim that the worst result will be a draw.
Dwelling on the crucial encounter during the week, three of the Eagles players, Victor Moses, Brown Idedye and John Ogu, affirmed that they would not disappoint Nigerians, noting that the Ethiopians will not be taken for granted being an away game.
For Dynamo Kiev star, Ideye, victory for Eagles would be dedicated to his 25th birthday which was on Thursday, while Moses of Liverpool stated that Nigeria remained African champions as, according to him, the team would consolidate on that feat. Ogu underlined the need for understanding and team work to overcome their host.
During the week, President Goodluck Jonathan demonstrated this show of love and unity for Nigeria by chartering an aircraft to airlift about 200 members of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club, who have promised to give the best support to enable the Eagles achieve the desired result.
Coaches who have also paid their dues in the Nigerian scene such as Christian Chukwu, Ufere Nwankwo, Godwin Izilein and Kadiri Ikhana also spoke to Sports Week during the week, affirming the need for the Super Eagles to do Nigeria proud. They noted that sports, and football in particular, is a major unifying factor for Nigerians.
All said, the expectations from Nigerians are huge, which implies that Coach Stephen Keshi must toady ensure that the right game plan that his wards can interpret is employed to overcome the Ethiopians, who have boasted that only a win against Nigeria is good enough for them.
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