These Eagles Will Go Places, Says Keshi… Maigari, Bako Hail Team
Major football stakeholders in the country were at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday, when the Super Eagles took on the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in a CHAN pre-tournament tune-up. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.
Among them was the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bolaji Abdulahi, the NSC Director General, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari, former NFA Chairman, Col Abdulmumuni Aminu, NFF Technical Committee Chairman. Barr Christopher Green, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who heads the secretariat department of the technical committee, NFF Scribe Barr Musa Amadu and indeed all executive committee members of the federation.
It was a fitting test for the Super Eagles, who are first time qualifiers for the African Nations Tournament that starts next week in South Africa.
After an impressive and dominant first half, which saw the Eagles score through impressive hitman Ifeanyi Ede in the fifth minute and Ugonna Uzochukwu in the 26th minute it looked like the Nigerian national team will have a game full of goals but misses were too many and that gave the Ethiopians room to come back in the second half and score against Nigeria.
From an outsider’s point of view, Ikenna Paul was outstanding as his two long throws resulted in Nigeria’s two goals. Azubuike Egwuekwe was obviously the Nigerian man of the match, goalkeeper and skipper, Chigozie Agbim, looked shaky atimes in goal, Abubakar Aliu was very hardworking but wasteful in front of goal and Kwambe Solomon needs to justify the tag of ‘Cafu’ the Brazilian legend that many now refer him to. Ebenezer Odunlami was a delight in the centre back, Shehu Abdulahi was good in the middle of the pack when he came on in the second half through dangerman Asrat Megersa.
All others, especially the substitutes need to work on their game and Head Coach Stephen Keshi knows so. Speaking moments after the match, Keshi says he believes in the team he has been able to work with under three weeks. “Three weeks is too short to raise a national team but for me the scoreline does not matter because we are getting the results we want from the players, they will sure go places”.
NFF President Aminu Maigari towed a similar line, declaring that sooner than later the Nigerian league will form the fulcrum of the future Super Eagles. Maigari spoke through NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barr Chris Green, who also praised the job that Keshi is doing with the home based squad.
On his part former National Broadcasting Commission Chairman and an avid football follower, Mallam Danladi Bako declared that finally Nigeria is getting it right in football politically and technically. “I told a few friends on the executive committee that all they need to do is to be patriotism, dedication and the results will come for Nigeria. Barr Green will bear me out, today we are seeing the results but we must not rest on our oarse”.
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