(Jan 28, 2013, The Guardian Nigeria)--IT is another trying moment for players and officials of the
Super Eagles today as Nigeria faces Ethiopia in a make or break
encounter here in Rustenburg, South Africa. It is a must win game for
the Eagles if they are to remain in contention for the Nations Cup
title, which Nigeria last won 19 years ago.
As the players have acknowledged, there is no room for another draw as witnessed in the last two games. Anything short of victory for the Eagles here in Rustenburg and a win for Zambia in their game against Burkina Faso will mean Nigeria is out. The Burkinabes have four points and are topping the group. Nigeria’s opponent in today’s encounter, Ethiopia, still has the chance of qualifying from the group if the Stephen Keshi-led Eagles fail to live up to expectation.
But if the confidence expressed by players of the Super Eagles are anything to go by, the Ethiopians will be in serious trouble this afternoon. From non-playing team captain, Joseph Yobo, to Chelsea attacker, Victor Moses, the level of optimism is very high.
The duo spoke with The Guardian at Kruger Mpumalanga International airport, and their chorus is: The Ethiopians will pay for the ‘sins’ of Burkina Faso and Zambian, who forced Nigeria to draws in two games played so far in the competition.
Yobo said: “We have no choice but to beat Ethiopia, but we are pleading with Nigerians to believe in us and continue with their support. “I want to admit we did not play well in the game against Burkina Faso, but as you can see in our second game against Zambia, we did well. We will improve on that in the last group game on Tuesday (today) because we know that anything short of victory will not be good for us.”
On his part, Chelsea goal digger, Moses, said he would use today’s game against Ethiopia to register his name on the scorers’ chat in the Nations Cup competition. Moses was sad that in two games for Nigeria in the 2013 AFCON, he has not been able to score a goal for Nigeria. “I am looking forward to end all that on Tuesday (today). It is very important I score a goal in this Nations Cup and we have to beat Ethiopia to clear the way. We can’t afford to drop a point in this game and I am confident we will win. All we need is the support.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Skipper, Joseph Yobo, yesterday came out to say that he still had a lot to offer the nation in this competition and other engagements. He said: “I am not too old to play in the Nations Cup,” Yobo debunked the claims that he is not fit for the hassles of the competition.
According to the Turkey-based defender, “I know what I can bring to the national team, especially when the going becomes as tough as it is now. “That I did not play the second game does not mean that the coaches have suddenly discovered that I am too old. Tactics for matches vary and I am sure I have a place in this team. “I was injured before we came to South Africa, but I am now fully fit and ready to go.”
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
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Ethiopia - Sport News January 22, 2013
Ethiopia 1-1 Zambia Match Highlights Video
As the players have acknowledged, there is no room for another draw as witnessed in the last two games. Anything short of victory for the Eagles here in Rustenburg and a win for Zambia in their game against Burkina Faso will mean Nigeria is out. The Burkinabes have four points and are topping the group. Nigeria’s opponent in today’s encounter, Ethiopia, still has the chance of qualifying from the group if the Stephen Keshi-led Eagles fail to live up to expectation.
But if the confidence expressed by players of the Super Eagles are anything to go by, the Ethiopians will be in serious trouble this afternoon. From non-playing team captain, Joseph Yobo, to Chelsea attacker, Victor Moses, the level of optimism is very high.
The duo spoke with The Guardian at Kruger Mpumalanga International airport, and their chorus is: The Ethiopians will pay for the ‘sins’ of Burkina Faso and Zambian, who forced Nigeria to draws in two games played so far in the competition.
Yobo said: “We have no choice but to beat Ethiopia, but we are pleading with Nigerians to believe in us and continue with their support. “I want to admit we did not play well in the game against Burkina Faso, but as you can see in our second game against Zambia, we did well. We will improve on that in the last group game on Tuesday (today) because we know that anything short of victory will not be good for us.”
On his part, Chelsea goal digger, Moses, said he would use today’s game against Ethiopia to register his name on the scorers’ chat in the Nations Cup competition. Moses was sad that in two games for Nigeria in the 2013 AFCON, he has not been able to score a goal for Nigeria. “I am looking forward to end all that on Tuesday (today). It is very important I score a goal in this Nations Cup and we have to beat Ethiopia to clear the way. We can’t afford to drop a point in this game and I am confident we will win. All we need is the support.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Skipper, Joseph Yobo, yesterday came out to say that he still had a lot to offer the nation in this competition and other engagements. He said: “I am not too old to play in the Nations Cup,” Yobo debunked the claims that he is not fit for the hassles of the competition.
According to the Turkey-based defender, “I know what I can bring to the national team, especially when the going becomes as tough as it is now. “That I did not play the second game does not mean that the coaches have suddenly discovered that I am too old. Tactics for matches vary and I am sure I have a place in this team. “I was injured before we came to South Africa, but I am now fully fit and ready to go.”
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
Related topics:
Nations Cup 2013: Ethiopia fined for crowd trouble
Ethiopia - Sport News January 22, 2013
Ethiopia 1-1 Zambia Match Highlights Video
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