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.
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.
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 28-year-old is hopeful his impressive
early-season form for Bayern Munich will be enough to catch the eye of
Selecao boss Luiz Felipe Scolari
Bayern Munich right-back Rafinha has set his
sights on earning a place in Brazil's squad for next summer's World Cup.
The 28-year-old has had a good start to the season under Pep Guardiola, with Philipp Lahm's shift to midfield granting him the chance to impress in a right-back role.
And Rafinha is hopeful his performances will catch the eye of Selecao head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"I am doing fine and I am still hoping to play more regularly," he told Bild. "Who knows, maybe I can be back in the Brazil fold for the 2014 World Cup.
"Dani Alves of Barcelona is the starter, but no-one knows who will be his backup next summer. If I keep up with my form and play matches, there could be a chance I can make it."
Guardiola himself admits he has been pleasantly surprised at the level of the former Schalke defender's performances in 2013-14.
"Rafinha is a superb player. I am surprised about his performances," he told Kicker.
"He has played great in these last matches as well as doing fine in training also."
sights on earning a place in Brazil's squad for next summer's World Cup.
The 28-year-old has had a good start to the season under Pep Guardiola, with Philipp Lahm's shift to midfield granting him the chance to impress in a right-back role.
And Rafinha is hopeful his performances will catch the eye of Selecao head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"I am doing fine and I am still hoping to play more regularly," he told Bild. "Who knows, maybe I can be back in the Brazil fold for the 2014 World Cup.
"Dani Alves of Barcelona is the starter, but no-one knows who will be his backup next summer. If I keep up with my form and play matches, there could be a chance I can make it."
Guardiola himself admits he has been pleasantly surprised at the level of the former Schalke defender's performances in 2013-14.
"Rafinha is a superb player. I am surprised about his performances," he told Kicker.
"He has played great in these last matches as well as doing fine in training also."
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