NFF Chiefs Ginger Eagles Against Lions As Team Regroups…Egwuekwe Assures Maximum Concentration

Chief Mike Umeh and other members addressing Super Eagles players on Wednesday evening in Cape Town

After a day off on Tuesday to relax nerves ahead of their quarter final duel against the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Saturday, Nigeria’s Super Eagles resumed training on Wednesday evening at the Cape Town Stadium with top executive committee members of the Nigeria Football Federation, there to motivate the team.

Media officer of the team, Ben Alaiya revealed that The NFF team was led by Vice President of the Federation, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh and included Dr Adamu Muazu and Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf popularly known as Fresh. Addressing the players after over two hours of grilling under the now scorching Cape Town sun, Chief Umeh praised the team for the heroics against Bafana Bafana, saying he was there to speak on behalf of the federation President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

“The President asked me to tell you that you have done well so far but there is more job to be done and that is why we are here to remind you to listen to your coaches and deliver the goods against Morocco. Indeed you have shown the world that there is no Super Eagles team A or B again because of your performance here and we are sure that at the end of the day we will carry the day by taking the trophy home. Let me assure you that apart from President Maiagari and our father President Goodluck Jonathan, all other political parties in Nigeria are rooting for you to win without bias and you must prove them right by winning the trophy”. He also told the players and officials that the NFF President was expected in South Africa on Thursday.

Speaking later, gangling defence ace, Azubuike Egwuekwe, said he was thrilled by the address of the NFF leadership and assured that the players will not let the country down. He said the presence of the officials at training session has helped to boost the players’ morale and that will show on Saturday when the team tackles Morocco. “We have come thus far, we cannot afford to disappoint ourselves and the nation”, he said grinning.

Barr Christopher Green’s presence Bolsters Eagles Ahead Lions Clash…Tips Team For Final…Eagles Off Day Relaxes Stars…Agbim, Egwuekwe, Kwambe Hail NFF

Barr Christopher Green’s presence Bolsters Eagles Ahead Lions Clash…Tips Team For Final

The presence of the NFF Technical Sub-Committee boss, Barr Christopher Green has had an immediate impact in the scheme of things in the national team’s camp here in Cape Town with officials and players loving his contributions so far.

According to the media officer of the team Ben Alaiya, Rivers State FA boss arrived Cape Town the night before the game against Bafana Bafana and was immediately at the team’s lunch few hour’s later where he was received by Head Coach Stephen Keshi and other officials. The players were also spot on as the Bonny man knew each and everyone of them by name to the delight of the staff of the national team.

The outspoken Green did not stop there as he was back to the team’s most precious time before a game; the pre-match talk. There he told the players what he knows about the game after the unveiling of the match plan by Keshi, with all the stars nodding in appreciation. He was to say later that he believes that the team will make it all the way to the final of the CHAN Championship and make Nigerians in general and President Goodluck Jonathan in particular a happy man at the end of the championship.

Hear him: “we have a plan and the plan is to take this team all the way to the final and ofcourse win the trophy, we are not unconscious of the oppositions we have to surmount but this team is good enough for the CHAN title”, Green said.

Eagles Off Day Relaxes Stars…Agbim, Egwuekwe, Kwambe Hail NFF

There was a surprise off day for the Super Eagles from training on Tuesday and when the players were told late Monday night they could not believe it, with some suggesting that they rather not have a free day only to come back for a punishing session the following evening.

Azubuike Egwuekwe was first to speak, “ I love the free day because it will relax all of us but we know how it is when we return from such free days and I have told my mates to behave themselves. Some of us may not even go anywhere we will just use the opportunity to relax well”, he said.

Solomon Kwambe said it was not yet time to shop and he will go out but will wait to shop after the cup has been won. “We still have some time to do whatever it is that we want to do and part of it is buying things for our loved ones and that will happen after we have gone through the stages we want to get to,the trophy that we believe belongs to us”, he said.

Team Skipper, Chigozie Agbim, said he was delighted at the opportunity to relax but called on his mates to act according to camp rules. “We all know the rules and we will keep to them stringently but we must thank the technical crew for giving us the opportunity to unwind. We must also thank the NFF for all the support that they have been offering to the team by meeting all our demands since the second week of December last year”, he said. Spartan training for the quarter final duel against the Atlas Lions of Morocco resumes Wednesday evening in Cape Town.

Keshi: Eagles Will Bounce Back…Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi Rally Mates

Keshi: Eagles Will Bounce Back

…Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi Rally Mates

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi says he believes that his wards have received the baptism of fire in their Group A opening match against Mali on Saturday in Cape Town and will bounce back to ensure qualification for the next round of the tournament.

Speaking at the post match conference Saturday, Keshi admitted that the players were desperate not only to convince himself and the technical crew of their potentials but majority of Nigerians and the world that they could be part of the World Cup party. “The pressure was massive and I expected this type of happening but I am certain that they now know that they have to satisfy themselves and have confidence in themselves, because we have lost the opening game and we have to forget that and fight for qualification from the remaining two games.

He said most of the players were playing at the big stage for the first time and it showed in the manner they played, adding that he has been talking to them and he was sure that the result will show in the second game.

On why the team played better in the second half than the first, the reigning African Coach of The Year, said he simply told them during the interval to loosen up and enjoy their game instead of trying to impress the coach, the fans, the nation and even scouts. “The team will definitely get better”, Keshi assured after Mali’s shock 2-1 win over the Super Eagles on Saturday.

On the players’ part, defence Trojan, Azubuike Egwuekwe who held his own in the face of misfiring mates and winger Ejike Uzoenyi who was also impressive, said they have been talking to their teammates to wake up to the reality of playing at the big stage.

“We didn’t play well at all today and we all know it but we have decided that we will come back stronger and better. I plead with Nigerians to give us another opportunity, “ Egwuekwe said. Uzoenyi on his part said experience counted aplenty in the game against Mali but assured that all hopes are not lost. “We will be back and better in the next game” he said.