Akinwunmi, Anyansi-Agwu Love Eagles ‘Fighting Spirit’

Leader of delegation and NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi has hailed the fighting spirit and commitment of the Super Eagles despite the 0-0 draw with Sihlangu Somnikati in Lobamba on Friday.

The Eagles dominated for long periods but failed to underscore their superiority in possession with a goal, and both sides will start afresh at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening.

“There is a tendency to dismiss the performance on the basis of the scoreline. However, I am happy with the commitment shown by the players and their continued push all through.

“It was a highly technical and tactical game. The Sihlangu were definitely at home on their own turf and they sought to make things difficult for the Super Eagles on the counter,” Akinwunmi stated.

The leader of delegation also expressed confidence the Eagles would get the goals in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

“With a little more luck, we could have won here in Lobamba. But the goals will certainly come in Port Harcourt.

“That fervour, dedication and elan that we have been looking to instil in the Super Eagles are back and I’m delighted.”

Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, also praised the Eagles for commitment throughout the 90 minutes, as they never stopped searching for goals.

“I am happy, not for the result, but for the general output of the team and the fighting spirit. These things come one after the other. There was a time we were clamouring for the players to fight hard and show how much they love their country by their approach on the field. I believe that spirit is back.

“We would have won here, but nothing is lost. The return leg in Port Harcourt will give us the opportunity to underscore our superiority.”

The Super Eagles flew direct from Manzini, Swaziland to Port Harcourt overnight on Friday, and resumed training program for the return leg with a light walk –out on Saturday evening.

Eagles camp bubbles for Swaziland

As at Tuesday afternoon, Head Coach Sunday Oliseh was expecting only three players in the Super Eagles camp as preparations were intensified for Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland in Lobamba on Friday.

In camp are Captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu, defenders Efe Ambrose, Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Jamiu Alimi, Kalu Orji, Godfrey Oboabona, Wilfred Ndidi and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Paul Onobi, John Mikel Obi, Sylvester Igbonu and Rabiu Ibrahim, and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ezekiel Bassey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.

Portugal –based defender Abdullahi Shehu, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and US–based forward Obafemi Martins were being expected on Tuesday night.

The strike embarked upon by workers of Lufthansa Airlines delayed the arrival of most of the players, as the Nigeria Football Federation had to quickly re-book players on British Airways.

Officials of the National Football Association of Swaziland confirmed to the NFF on Tuesday that landing permit for the chartered flight, which will fly the Nigeria delegation to Swaziland, has been secured.

The ARIK Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft is expected to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 7am on Thursday, and will land at the Matsapha International Airport by 2pm same day.

Super Eagles’ players and officials will stay at The Sun Hotels, while the official training at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba has been set for 7pm on Thursday.

Super Eagles during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Nigeria Training on Sep,1st, 2015 at National Stadium, Abuja
© Kabiru Abubakar/Backpagepix

The match between the Super Eagles and the Sihlangu Somnikati will kick off at 7pm on Friday, 13th November, with Germain Koole of Benin Republic as the referee. He will be assisted by compatriots Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will be the referee assessor with Zambian Joseph Nkole as match commissioner.

The Nigeria delegation will depart Swaziland immediately after the match and fly direct to Port Harcourt.

Both teams will clash in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 17th November, with the winner going straight into the 20–team, mini-league phase beginning next year.