- Mikel says it is do or die
- Coach Siasia we shall fight just like in 2009
Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed in Alexandria ahead their crunch AFCON qualifiers second leg with Pharaohs of Egypt. The Arik air aircraft which converyed the team touched down at the Borg El-Arab Airport, Alexandria at 6.35pm Egypt time on Monday (5.35pm Nigeria time).
The team (25 players and technical/backroom staff) was led by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, and NFF President Amaju Pinnick 25 players and technical/backroom staff.
On arrival, Samson Siasia told thenff.com: “We know we have no choice but to win, so we will go all out. There is no alternative. All the players are aware of that fact and whoever gets to play tomorrow will fight very hard for the country.”
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| Oenyi Onazi and Alex Iwobi |
Captain John Mikel Obi, who alongside Elderson Echiejile are the only surviving members from the 2009 squad that defeated Kenya in Nairobi in a must-win game to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, said: “We are in the same situation now as we were then going to Nairobi. I just have it in my mind that it can be done, that we have done it before.
“Yes, we will go out there on Tuesday night and do exactly what we have to do: fight. It is not going to be easy but I keep remembering what we did in Nairobi that evening and I know it can be done.”
The man who was head coach that evening in Nairobi, Shuaibu Amodu, is now the National Technical Director. He also spoke with thenff.com on arrival in Alexandria.
The man who was head coach that evening in Nairobi, Shuaibu Amodu, is now the National Technical Director. He also spoke with thenff.com on arrival in Alexandria.
“I also remember Nairobi, and I have already discussed it with Mikel (Obi) and he remembers very well and the spirit is there and he will pass it on to the other players.
"We just have to remember that it has been done before and that we can do it again. Of course, that was a FIFA World Cup qualifier and this one is an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. But the same principle can be applied and Nigeria will come out victorious.”
Due to the withdrawal of Chad from the race, only the group winner of Group G will qualify for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Gabon.
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| Victor Moses |
Due to the withdrawal of Chad from the race, only the group winner of Group G will qualify for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Gabon.
Egypt currently top Group G with four points, with Nigeria second on two points and Tanzania on one point.
