TheNewsGuru

Tag: eagles

  • Every 2018 FIFA World Cup participant is a threat, Chukwu, Owolabi warn Eagles

    Every 2018 FIFA World Cup participant is a threat, Chukwu, Owolabi warn Eagles

    Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles Head Coach, on Friday urged the Super Eagles to see every opponent as a threat at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Chukwu made the appeal in an interview with the Sports Journalist in Lagos following the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup draw of Friday in Moscow.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be playing in Group D alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.

    “There is no problem, it’s a good draw. If we want to be champions, we must be able to face any country. I’m not even afraid of Argentina, but I’m afraid of the other countries in our group.

    “We should not underrate any country. Every opponent is a threat, and we shouldn’t look down on any opponent.

    “They all pose a threat to our success at the tournament,’’ the former Green Eagles captain said.

    Sharing the same views with Chukwu was a former teammate of his, Felix Owolabi, who told NAN that every country which made it to the World Cup was a potential winner.

    “As long as we are well prepared, there is no need to be afraid. For all the countries to have made it to the World Cup, it means we are all potential winners.

    “They (the Eagles) should prepare well and study the other players. We should understand and study their pattern of play and ensure that we map out a strategy for each member of our team.

    “I believe we will have a good outing at the tournament as long as our boys stay fired up,’’ he said.

    TNG reports that the Super Eagles defeated Argentina 4-2 in a friendly match in Russia in November.

    The 2018 World Cup finals will hold from June 14 to July 15.

  • World Cup: Former Eagles coach cautions on team selection

    World Cup: Former Eagles coach cautions on team selection

    The former coach of the Golden Eagles, Godwin Izilein, says Nigeria needs players that will make name for the country at the World Cup and not those who want to know Russia.

    He stated this in an interview with the Sports Journalist, in Benin on Thursday.

    He said with players with who were hungry for success and make name for themselves, the country would surpass her previous record of second round qualification at the Mundial.

    Izilein, who was also a former coach of the Super Falcons, expressed happiness with the plan so far made by the the country football handlers towards a successful outing in Russia.

    “I am happy with the preparation being made by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), especially with the match against Argentina and plan to play about five grade A friendlies.

    “If the coaches can match this up by going for players who will make name for the country and not those who only want to be in Russia to know the country, tremendous success awaits the Nigeria.”

    Speaking further, Izilein said the coaches must work hard in the area of goal keeping .

    “I am really worried about our goalkeeper. We are all witness to the first goal scored by the Argentines in the friendly. For me, we need to bring Enyeama back to man the goal post for us.

    “We have top quality strikers in the team now that Ahmed Musa may most likely be edged out of the team to Russia.

    “Similarly, I am also happy with top performance of the team’s new recruit in the left and right wing of the defence.

    ” The competition there is now good to the extent that Echiejele needs to work had to retain what had naturally became his.

    “I must warn our handlers to be careful not to use sentiment and ethnicity to select players for the world cup,” he said.

  • Udofia pumps Eagles’ spirit with offer of $20,000 for every goal

    Businessman Aka Udofia has offered the Super Eagles the sum of $20,000 for every goal scored in Monday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in Yaounde.

    The young and ebullient businessman from Akwa Ibom State made the promise as he briefly greeted players and officials inside the chartered ARIK Bombadier CRJ 1000 aircraft just before take –off at the Ibom International Airport, Uyo.

    “I am a very good friend of the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, and I am happy that I am here in time to see you guys before take –off for Yaounde.

    “I watched the game against the Cameroonians here in Uyo on Friday and I am sure you have the ability to conquer them again in their own territory. I promise to reward you with $20,000 for every goal scored in Yaounde,” Udofia announced to the applause of players and officials.

    Three –time champions Nigeria play Cameroon on Monday in Yaounde in a Day 4 encounter of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifying race, with five points clear of second –placed Zambia and seven ahead of third –placed Cameroon.