As the Super Eagles prepare to battle Malawi in the final leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Brazil, Dr. Edozie Okey Aroh, commissioner for youth and sports in Anambra State has advised Nigerians not to lose sleep over the match but be confident the Stephen Keshi-tutored side.
Speaking to Saturday Vanguard sports recently, Dr Aroh affirmed that the Flames of Malawi do not posses the pedigree to truncate Nigeria’s World Cup dream but however, warned the team against underrating the Southern African side even as he said the Eagles need total commitment in the crucial tie.
“If you ask my opinion on the Nigeria/Malawi World Cup qualifier, I will say that I do not see Malawi as a team capable of truncating our 2014 World Cup dream. They are no threat at all, and we should not lose sleep over them because we have a team that is capable of beating Malawi right in front of their home fans. But that does not mean Nigeria should underrate them, they must play them with every amount of seriousness, all we need is the ticket to Brazil 2014,” he stressed.
On the exclusion of some members of the Super Eagles by coach Stephen Keshi, the Anambra sports commissioner advised that the Ilah-born tactician should accommodate all the experienced professionals as they are the ones that could rescue him in times of difficulties.
“Keshi must not ignore the services of those experienced professionals because when the chips are done, they are the players that will rescue him but as for qualification, the Eagles will hoist Nigeria’s flag in Brazil 2014, quote me,” he opined.
Speaking on the final of the Governor Peter Obi U-17 Football tournament which comes up next month, Dr Aroh said he was expecting a grand finale especially with the expected attendance of Eagles coach, Keshi and some other ex internationals like Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu. “You know that this state had produced champions for Nigeria in the past. Our decision to invite the likes of Stephen Keshi, Austin Jay jay Okocha, Kano Nwankwo, John Obuh and many others to watch the final of our Governor’s Cup is part of our strategy for sports development.
These people are household names in Nigeria sports history, their presence in any sports gathering gives a morale and motivational boost to players,” he said.
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