… Players of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have assured the nation of their determination and readiness to pick the World Cup Qatar 2022 ticket after their two doubled legs tie with their West African neighbours, Ghana.
By Ralph Nkra, Abuja
Players of the Nigeria senior national team (Super Eagles) have pleaded with the hierarchy of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to mobilise fans into the 60 thousand sitting capacity MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja in their second leg tie of the FIFA world cup play off against Ghana next.
Eagles captain Ahmed Musa made the pledge on Tuesday night during a virtual meeting with the Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare, chieftains of the NFF and the coaching crew led by Augustine Eguavoen.
Captain Ahmed Musa said: “The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world, and every player wants to feature there. A good number of the players in the team now have not been there, and the few of us that have been there want to experience it again.
“We just want the NFF to help us get enough fans into the Abuja Stadium for the second leg. We will go to Ghana and dig our feet and ensure we get a result.
” We must admit that Ghana also want to qualify and they have a strong team. The return leg will be crucial and we are ready for the battle, but we want our fans to be in there cheering us on,” he pleaded.
However, they coaches and the players unanimously acknowledged the huge challenge that Ghana’s Black Stars will present in next month’s two-legged play-off, but insisted they are determined to emerge victorious.
The Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen said: “We have two tough games against Ghana next month but I am not too worried because we have a squad that knows it is a mountain that we have to climb.
“We have a good headache to deal with which is a surplus of good players. I want to thank the Government and the NFF for all the support during the AFCON; we will need even greater support for the World Cup play-off.”
In his opening remark, Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare extolled the players for their efforts at the AFCON, and expressed belief that lessons have been learnt from the defeat to Tunisia in the Round of 16:
“I know you are still unhappy about the loss to Tunisia, but I want you to visit the anger of the defeat by Tunisia on Ghana. We all know about the history of the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana in football, and this is one fixture that we must not lose.
“We know that dogged spirit is there in you, and we also want you to see yourself as one big family. We have confidence in you that you can do it and will give you all the support.
“Coaches Eguavoen and Amuneke have smooth access to the NFF President and he will always be ready to provide what you need. As for the pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, we have experts working there all the time and I assure you it will be in perfect condition for the match,” he said.
