Following Super Eagles solid display against the Indomitable Lions of Cameron, soccer loving Nigerians have raised their hopes on Super Eagles qualifying for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup when the team file up against Zambia come October 7 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Nigerians residing in South Africa, have also express same optimism that the Super Eagles will qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
They believe that the team has quality players to do well in the World Cup. Nigeria top the log in Group B with 10 points from four matches, Zambia are second with 7 points, Cameroon third with 3 points and Algeria, 1 point.
Chikaodili Nwanedo, Chairman of the Nigeria Union, North West Province, in Rustenburg on Wednesday said that the Eagles had the edge in their group.
“ I am very optimistic that Nigeria will qualify from their group. The players have shown commitment and zeal to excel. This we saw in the matches against Cameroon at home and away.
“ They need to finish the job against Zambia and get the ticket.”
Kelvin Okolo, the Public Relations Officer of the union also shared the same sentiment on the chances of the Eagles.
“ Looking at the situation in the group, Nigeria is almost there. We are confident of the World Cup ticket. With hard work and dedication, I believe we will qualify.
“ I join other Nigerians to pray for the team,” he said.
Boniface Nkemakonam, a businessman, called on the team to do the nation proud by defeating Zambia in their next group match, slated for Oct. 7 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
He said that the standard of the match against Cameroon showed that the Eagles had improved.
“We watched the matches against Cameroon. We are happy with the game played by the Super Eagles and we have high hopes that they will qualify,” he said.
In a bid to ensure the nation qualify foe the World Cup, is Nigeria’s foremost oil and gas company, Aiteo Group, has pledged to contribute the sum of N10 million for every goal recently scored by the Super Eagles against the indomitable Lions of Cameroon. This donation is to be applied towards the treatment of the team’s goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017.
This pledge is the second made by the energy giants prior to each of the games against Cameroon, the first being on Friday 1 September when the Aiteo Group had also committed to N10 million for every goal scored against the same opponents. The Super Eagles of Nigeria scored 4 un-replied goals against Cameroon in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on that occasion, and its subsequent one-all draw against the Lions in Yaounde resulted in a total pledge of N50 million. The cheque will be presented to the team when they open camp in the prelude to their 7th October World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Uyo.
The recent outstanding performances of the Super Eagles have been attributed to the financial stability the team now enjoys. Many of the team’s key financial needs are being addressed by the N2.7billion sponsorship deal between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Aiteo Group which is ensuring that major outings of both the senior men and women national football teams will be extensively supported by the Aiteo Group for the next five years.
“Our ambition is to boost the performance of the Nigerian teams and return the country to the position of dominance in African football,” said Benedict Peters, Executive Vice Chairman of Aiteo Group.
On the donation to the treatment of goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, Peters added “…We are happy with the progress the Super Eagles are making, and are looking forward to having Ikeme return to action for the national team soon. This is our way of showing support for the team and the goalkeeper in particular. As a company, we are interested in the things that integrate and unite Nigerians, and we know that football is at the core of our national pride and international diplomacy.”
All Nigeria require to book their place at next year’s 2018 FIFA World Cup is just a victory from two games.
Nigeria will do battle with Zambia come October 7th and Algeria in November 6th in Algeria.
Super Eagles should remain focused and keep their head cool until they officially deliver the ticket to Russia 2018.
Anthony Nlebem
@AnthonyNlebem
