The Nigerian Super Eagles has finally trounced their pathway to the glare window of the world again after a protracted period of drowsiness at the football center stage. The tell-tale of the glory days of the super eagles has been narrowed down to the valley of folklore since the heart-stopping and breath-taking exploits of the ’94 and ’98 world cup squad, and if not for the once-in-a-while romp-rout of the younger sides of the Nigerian National team at the Olympics and Youth championships, Nigerians would have gone feisty in their national football fanatism.
The 2013 African Cup of Nations brought about a rare but justifiable assemblage of local and foreign players in the mix of the super eagles. The average Nigerian support for the super eagles at the football fest in South Africa was more of loyalty riding on optimism than an expected performance. We haunted them with an elephantine shadow of uncertainty, but rather than be crushed by it, they severed this familiar foe to our total disbelief. The Super Eagles won only their third AFCON trophy in South Africa, although not a great feat for a self-styled giant of Africa (who has come close in no few times of 7 finals) but a breakthrough long overdue. The romp in South Africa is sure a resound to the whole of Africa of a new force rising in the west, but if that message is to excite the world, the super eagles will have to blow their bugle loud enough in the confederation cup in Brazil
The super eagles defied the odds of football punditry in South Africa, having simply overpowered their opponents with strength and speed, recovering quickly from a shaky defence at the start of the competition to build on a stable midfield and quick piercing attack. The availability of the likes of Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Mikel Obi, Nosa Igiebor, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye, Victor Moses, Ike Uche, and Sunday Mba, who all formed a formidable team for Stephen Keshi in South Africa means the coach need not grow gray hairs in his business of raising a perfect team for the confederations cup. Obi Mikel has just returned from injury in Chelsea FC of London, and should be fully fit before Nigeria kick a ball inBrazil, while Nigeria’s main goal threat, Emmanuel Emenike, is the only player probable to miss out of the competition, having suffered a recurrence of his knee ligament injury that will rule him out of action for two months. Nonetheless, Werder Bremen forward, Joseph Akpala, has been summoned to replace Emenike in the Super eagles squad.
And ahead of the competition in June, Head coach Stephen Keshi, has handed Nigerians high hope that the Super eagles will not be push overs at the confederations cup in Brazil, even though qualifying the Super eagles for the 2014 world cup in Brazil is the top priority for him and the entire team. According to him , the team shall approach the confederations cup “with the same seriousness that won us the Africa cup of nations in South Africa……..the confederations cup will be tough with all the continental champions on parade, but I can assure you that the Eagles will give good account of themselves in Brazil and see where we stand at the end of the day” Stressing further, Keshi believes “playing against World and European champions Spain and South America champions Uruguay will not be easy” but that the team “shall not fear them. So long as it is going to be 11 vs 11 on the pitch” “we can spring some surprises” He stated.
The confederations cup is an association football tournament for national teams held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the holders of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (UEFA,CONMEBOL,CONCACAF,CAF,AFC,OFC), along with the FIFA world cup holder and the host nation, to bring the number of teams to eight. It is seen as a rehearsal for the World cup, which is why it takes place in the FIFA World cup host nation a year before the football fiesta. Nigeria will participate for the first time, representing Africa as a result of their triumph in AFCON 2013. Host, Brazil is drawn in Group A alongside Italy, Mexico and Japan, while the Eagles will play in Group B with Uruguay, Tahiti and World defending champion, Spain. Nigeria will play its first match against Tahiti on June 17, its second against Uruguay on June 20 and its last group game against Spain on June 23.
The Nigerian Super Eagles has finally trounced their pathway to the glare window of the world again after a protracted period of drowsiness at the football center stage. The tell-tale of the glory days of the super eagles has been narrowed down to the valley of folklore since the heart-stopping and breath-taking exploits of the ’94 and ’98 world cup squad, and if not for the once-in-a-while romp-rout of the younger sides of the Nigerian National team at the Olympics and Youth championships, Nigerians would have gone feisty in their national football fanatism.
The 2013 African Cup of Nations brought about a rare but justifiable assemblage of local and foreign players in the mix of the super eagles. The average Nigerian support for the super eagles at the football fest in South Africa was more of loyalty riding on optimism than an expected performance. We haunted them with an elephantine shadow of uncertainty, but rather than be crushed by it, they severed this familiar foe to our total disbelief. The Super Eagles won only their third AFCON trophy in South Africa, although not a great feat for a self-styled giant of Africa (who has come close in no few times of 7 finals) but a breakthrough long overdue. The romp in South Africa is sure a resound to the whole of Africa of a new force rising in the west, but if that message is to excite the world, the super eagles will have to blow their bugle loud enough in the confederation cup in Brazil
The super eagles defied the odds of football punditry in South Africa, having simply overpowered their opponents with strength and speed, recovering quickly from a shaky defence at the start of the competition to build on a stable midfield and quick piercing attack. The availability of the likes of Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Mikel Obi, Nosa Igiebor, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye, Victor Moses, Ike Uche, and Sunday Mba, who all formed a formidable team for Stephen Keshi in South Africa means the coach need not grow gray hairs in his business of raising a perfect team for the confederations cup. Obi Mikel has just returned from injury in Chelsea FC of London, and should be fully fit before Nigeria kick a ball inBrazil, while Nigeria’s main goal threat, Emmanuel Emenike, is the only player probable to miss out of the competition, having suffered a recurrence of his knee ligament injury that will rule him out of action for two months. Nonetheless, Werder Bremen forward, Joseph Akpala, has been summoned to replace Emenike in the Super eagles squad.
And ahead of the competition in June, Head coach Stephen Keshi, has handed Nigerians high hope that the Super eagles will not be push overs at the confederations cup in Brazil, even though qualifying the Super eagles for the 2014 world cup in Brazil is the top priority for him and the entire team. According to him , the team shall approach the confederations cup “with the same seriousness that won us the Africa cup of nations in South Africa……..the confederations cup will be tough with all the continental champions on parade, but I can assure you that the Eagles will give good account of themselves in Brazil and see where we stand at the end of the day” Stressing further, Keshi believes “playing against World and European champions Spain and South America champions Uruguay will not be easy” but that the team “shall not fear them. So long as it is going to be 11 vs 11 on the pitch” “we can spring some surprises” He stated.
The confederations cup is an association football tournament for national teams held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the holders of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (UEFA,CONMEBOL,CONCACAF,CAF,AFC,OFC), along with the FIFA world cup holder and the host nation, to bring the number of teams to eight. It is seen as a rehearsal for the World cup, which is why it takes place in the FIFA World cup host nation a year before the football fiesta. Nigeria will participate for the first time, representing Africa as a result of their triumph in AFCON 2013. Host, Brazil is drawn in Group A alongside Italy, Mexico and Japan, while the Eagles will play in Group B with Uruguay, Tahiti and World defending champion, Spain. Nigeria will play its first match against Tahiti on June 17, its second against Uruguay on June 20 and its last group game against Spain on June 23.
