Ethiopian altitude, pitch can’t stop Eagles – Egwuekwe
October 8, 2013 by ’Tana Aiyejina 1 Comment
Egwuekwe
Despite
concerns ranging from high altitude to a bad pitch at the
35,000-capacity Addis Ababa Stadium, Nigeria defender, Azubuike
Egwuekwe, says the Super Eagles “have a big heart” to weather the storm
in their first leg final African qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World
Cup on Sunday.
While Nigeria are out to achieve a
favourable result at an altitude of 2,400m in Addis Ababa, the Eagles
also have the rough and bumpy pitch of the stadium and highly fanatical
fans to contend with.
The Ethiopia Football Association has
also moved the kick-off time from 4pm to 2pm as the North-East Africans
try to apply all tactics to emerge victorious in the first leg, but
Egwuekwe is confident that won’t pose any problems for the African
champions.
“Some of us play in the domestic league,
so there is no big deal about all we’ve heard (the Ethiopians doing). I
believe our boys have the heart to withstand whatever we see in Addis
Ababa on Sunday,” the Warri Wolves captain, who arrived at the Eagles
camp in Abuja on Monday, told our correspondent on the telephone.
“I am focused just like every other
player and I believe we can make it. Some of us are aiming to play our
first World Cup and we will do everything to qualify.”
But the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner admits that the Walya Antelopes are not going to be easy nuts to crack.
He added, “In today’s football, there
are no more big teams. The Ethiopians have a very good side. At the 2013
AFCON, it took us 80 minutes before we scored our first goal against
them. Even though we won 2-0, it was not an easy match for us.”
The towering centre-back has to contend
with Europe-based Godfrey Oboabona, Francis Benjamin and James Okwuosa
for a place in the starting line-up on Sunday.
“I’m not the coach; my duty is to do my best and leave the rest for the selectors,” Egwuekwe said.
Ethiopian altitude, pitch can’t stop Eagles – Egwuekwe
October 8, 2013 by ’Tana Aiyejina 1 Comment
Egwuekwe
Despite
concerns ranging from high altitude to a bad pitch at the
35,000-capacity Addis Ababa Stadium, Nigeria defender, Azubuike
Egwuekwe, says the Super Eagles “have a big heart” to weather the storm
in their first leg final African qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World
Cup on Sunday.
While Nigeria are out to achieve a
favourable result at an altitude of 2,400m in Addis Ababa, the Eagles
also have the rough and bumpy pitch of the stadium and highly fanatical
fans to contend with.
The Ethiopia Football Association has
also moved the kick-off time from 4pm to 2pm as the North-East Africans
try to apply all tactics to emerge victorious in the first leg, but
Egwuekwe is confident that won’t pose any problems for the African
champions.
“Some of us play in the domestic league,
so there is no big deal about all we’ve heard (the Ethiopians doing). I
believe our boys have the heart to withstand whatever we see in Addis
Ababa on Sunday,” the Warri Wolves captain, who arrived at the Eagles
camp in Abuja on Monday, told our correspondent on the telephone.
“I am focused just like every other
player and I believe we can make it. Some of us are aiming to play our
first World Cup and we will do everything to qualify.”
But the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner admits that the Walya Antelopes are not going to be easy nuts to crack.
He added, “In today’s football, there
are no more big teams. The Ethiopians have a very good side. At the 2013
AFCON, it took us 80 minutes before we scored our first goal against
them. Even though we won 2-0, it was not an easy match for us.”
The towering centre-back has to contend
with Europe-based Godfrey Oboabona, Francis Benjamin and James Okwuosa
for a place in the starting line-up on Sunday.
“I’m not the coach; my duty is to do my best and leave the rest for the selectors,” Egwuekwe said.
Ethiopian altitude, pitch can’t stop Eagles – Egwuekwe
October 8, 2013 by ’Tana Aiyejina 1 Comment
Egwuekwe
Despite
concerns ranging from high altitude to a bad pitch at the
35,000-capacity Addis Ababa Stadium, Nigeria defender, Azubuike
Egwuekwe, says the Super Eagles “have a big heart” to weather the storm
in their first leg final African qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World
Cup on Sunday.
While Nigeria are out to achieve a
favourable result at an altitude of 2,400m in Addis Ababa, the Eagles
also have the rough and bumpy pitch of the stadium and highly fanatical
fans to contend with.
The Ethiopia Football Association has
also moved the kick-off time from 4pm to 2pm as the North-East Africans
try to apply all tactics to emerge victorious in the first leg, but
Egwuekwe is confident that won’t pose any problems for the African
champions.
“Some of us play in the domestic league,
so there is no big deal about all we’ve heard (the Ethiopians doing). I
believe our boys have the heart to withstand whatever we see in Addis
Ababa on Sunday,” the Warri Wolves captain, who arrived at the Eagles
camp in Abuja on Monday, told our correspondent on the telephone.
“I am focused just like every other
player and I believe we can make it. Some of us are aiming to play our
first World Cup and we will do everything to qualify.”
But the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner admits that the Walya Antelopes are not going to be easy nuts to crack.
He added, “In today’s football, there
are no more big teams. The Ethiopians have a very good side. At the 2013
AFCON, it took us 80 minutes before we scored our first goal against
them. Even though we won 2-0, it was not an easy match for us.”
The towering centre-back has to contend
with Europe-based Godfrey Oboabona, Francis Benjamin and James Okwuosa
for a place in the starting line-up on Sunday.
“I’m not the coach; my duty is to do my best and leave the rest for the selectors,” Egwuekwe said.
The Super Eagles’ camp came alive on Monday afternoon as Nigeria commenced preparation for Sunday’s first leg W2014 World Cup final play-off clash against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
Stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama was the first player to arrive the Bolton White Apartment camp of the national team.
The Lille goalkeeper was joined later in the day by Holland-based striker Uche Nwofor, who was also business-like as he breezed into the camp to the warm embrace of head coach Stephen Keshi who had earlier arrived the base with all his technical officials and backroom staff.
Meanwhile, Chigozie Agbim, Sunday Mba, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis and Azubuike Egwuekwe formed the chunk of home based professionals that also arrived early.
More foreign-based players are expected Monday night as training begins on Tuesday evening at the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking ahead of preparations for the crucial encounter, Keshi said he was happy that none of his players was nursing any injury but demanded for total concentration from both players and officials ahead of the Addis Ababa duel.
“We need the concentration and support of all to reach our goal and I know that everyone here is a thorough bred professional and will give that to the team and the Nigerian people”, said Keshi.
Nigeria will depart for the important match against on October 11, two days before the game.
Stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama was the first player to arrive the Bolton White Apartment camp of the national team.
The Lille goalkeeper was joined later in the day by Holland-based striker Uche Nwofor, who was also business-like as he breezed into the camp to the warm embrace of head coach Stephen Keshi who had earlier arrived the base with all his technical officials and backroom staff.
Meanwhile, Chigozie Agbim, Sunday Mba, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis and Azubuike Egwuekwe formed the chunk of home based professionals that also arrived early.
More foreign-based players are expected Monday night as training begins on Tuesday evening at the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking ahead of preparations for the crucial encounter, Keshi said he was happy that none of his players was nursing any injury but demanded for total concentration from both players and officials ahead of the Addis Ababa duel.
“We need the concentration and support of all to reach our goal and I know that everyone here is a thorough bred professional and will give that to the team and the Nigerian people”, said Keshi.
Nigeria will depart for the important match against on October 11, two days before the game.
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