The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye said that he was relieved that Nigeria would be playing against Ethiopia in the 2014 World Cup qualifier instead of traditional heavyweight nations like Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana or Egypt.
He however added that facing Ethiopia would bring up fresh challenges and excitement.
He urged Stephen Keshi and the players to treat the match against Ethiopiawith all the seriousness the two-legged encounter deserved in order to ensure that Nigeria booked a place in the finals in Brazil. The former legislator who received the news of the final play-offs with satisfaction added that the Eagles should not underrate the Ethiopians, who according to him, are also a strong side in African football.
He said, “This pairing is nice if we consider the fact that we were able to avoid the big names in African football like Cameroon, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana but that doesn’t mean that we will stroll over Ethiopia to get the World Cup ticket.
“We all watched how well the Ethiopians played against the Super Eagles in the last group match of the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa which eventually ended in 2-0 Nigeria’s favour. One may say that if not for the individual brilliance of Victor Moses the Ethiopians could have held Nigeria to a draw.
“I believe we have the edge and quality players in the Eagles to deliver the World Cup ticket by beating Ethiopia.”
Elegbeleye said the NSC would fully back the team.
“I am also assuring the Nigeria Football Federation and the Eagles that the National Sports Commission will do all we can to support the team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/47297.html
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/47297.html
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