Amadu: Eagles Will Be Third Time Lucky

Nigeria’s Super Eagles stand a great chance of reaching the African
Nations Championship finals for the first time as the team is now much
stronger and exposed, says NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa
Amadu.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, hours before the arrival of the
Ivorian Elephants for Saturday’s qualifier against Nigeria in Kaduna,
Amadu reflected that
the country’s absence from the first two editions
of the championship was down to lack of experience and exposure of the
home-based professionals.

“We failed to qualify for the inaugural edition hosted by Cote
d’Ivoire after failing to beat Ghana in Calabar, and in the qualifying
series for the second championship staged in Sudan, we lost to Niger
Republic in Niamey and could only draw with them in Kano.

“In both instance, our players lacked requisite exposure. Now, I can
tell you that the situation is much different. Eight of the home boys
were in Coach Stephen Keshi’s team to the FIFA Confederations Cup,
five of them were in the team that triumphed at the Africa Cup of
Nations in South Africa and 14 of them were at the training camp in
Germany preparatory to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup
qualifiers that preceded it.

“So, if you compare the various teams, the present class is stronger
and Nigeria would be third time lucky. We have the team to conquer
Cote d’Ivoire and reach the finals being staged in South Africa early
next year.”

Nigeria heads into the weekend clash in Kaduna with the likes of
defender Godfrey Oboabona and attacking midfielder Sunday Mba having
gained continental fame following magnificent performances at the
Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa earlier in the year. Both
players also featured at the recently-concluded FIFA Confederations
Cup tournament in Brazil, and have been part of Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA
World Cup qualifying campaign.

Goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Chibuzor Okonkwo and
Azubuike Egwuekwe and midfielder Olufemi Oladapo also have ample
international experience, while strikers Muhammad Gambo and Dele
Olorundare have shone in African club competitions and should have no
palpitations if asked to start on Saturday.

Match officials from Mali, led by centre referee Mahamadou Keita would
fly into Lagos on Thursday evening and arrive in Kaduna on Friday
morning.

The Ivorian Elephants are to be accommodated at the Access Hotel in
Kaduna, after enjoying the hospitality of Silver Grandeur Hotel in
Lagos on Wednesday night, while the Super Eagles will stay at the
African Continental Hotel.