NAN-S-20
Performance
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2017 (NAN) Some football enthusiasts in Abuja say the Super Eagles are good enough to reach the final of the ongoing WAFU Nations Cup competition based on current performance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles defeated hosts Black Stars of Ghana 2-0 on Monday to advance into the semi-final stages of the competition.
They had earlier in the competition drawn goalless with Guinea and Mali in their other Group A matches.
A cross-section of football enthusiasts who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Tuesday however said the team’s performance against Ghana’s Black Stars at the Cape Coast Stadium was inspiring.
They noted that the Super Eagles showed strength and character to defeat the hosts and long-time rivals.
Musa Talle, the Chairman of FCT Football Association, said it was a mental test and the team was pushed to be more confident front after two consecutive draws.
“So, there was a need for a positive response from the players and that was exactly what they did,” he said.
Talle noted that the win could have a galvanising potential, adding that the Eagles would now be spurred on, not just to reach the final but to also lift the cup.
“I think the home-based Eagles have done a great job, after six matches, I will rate them high.
“They have lost once against Benin Republic in Cotonou and they are yet to concede a goal after four matches at the WAFU Nations Cup,’’ he said.
Usman Ilerika, the Acting Secretary of FCT Football Association, said the victory was going to help the team develop more in confidence.
“We started with a high level of anxiety and the fluency in our game suffered, but we showed great mental resources.
“We created a lot of scoring chances and we could have scored two goals in the first half if not for the brilliant goalkeeping of the Ghanaian goalkeeper.
“However we came back in the second half and continued to press till the Ghanaian defence gave in to the Eagles pressure.
“I believe this victory will help the team rebuild confidence. Hopefully, the confidence is there again and it will be plain sailing to the final,” he said.
Patrick Pascal, the Super Eagles Coordinator, said the players performed for each other as a solid team.
He said they knew what was at stake and had no choice but to raise their game.
“It was a nice performance from the boys. We defeated the hosts and we are now in the semi-finals.
“I am convinced we can go all out to win this championship. The spirit is high after the victory over Ghana and now we await our opponents in the semi-final,’’ the ex-international said.
He revealed that the unity in the team’s camp was second to none and expressed confidence the team was good enough to make it to the final of the competition.
“Our previous games, in which we played a barren draw with Guinea and Mali, are not what we bargained for.
“But we have been able to turn things around and we will continue to make our country proud in our next fixtures.
“The technical crew is doing everything possible to ensure we win this competition and the players too are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in our semi-final,’’ Pascal said.(NAN)
VO/GOM/OLAL
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)