CIV Vs. Nigeria: Umeh, Ladipo, Ikpeme Think Victory

When the Super Eagles landed in Abidjan, there was a symbolic gesture by an immigration official that did not go unnoticed by the leader of the Nigerian delegation, Chief Mike Umeh and other members of the team.

The official simply asked the Nigerian team to forego filling of the immigration forms and proceed into the city because according bto him: “Nigeria is here to win”. Chief Umeh picked his positives from there and said, “thank God they know we will defeat them here. Nigeria is now used to winning and even airport officials know that fact.

Chief Umeh was not alone in his frame of mind, Chief Rauf Ladipo, who has been in the forefront of supporting the Super Eagles for ages also shared the same optimism, as the supporters club, Abidjan wing drummed away in reception of the reigning African champions. “I am not used to failure and that is why I am here and the people of this city know exactly what I mean”. Chief Ladipo has already detailed his Ivoirien counterparts to ensure that he gets hot Amala and Gbegiri soup from his arrival till departure as a mode of celebration.

On his part, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme in his usual amiable self said he was impressed by the reception but is not carried away. As the reason he came to Abidjan was for victory to be achieved and for Nigeria to qualify for the first time for the CHAN tourney which holds next year in South Africa.