Ex-internationals task Super Eagles on victory

The Nwankwo Kanu-led team is trailing the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia with six points, two points behind the North Africans in Group B, which also has Kenya.Segun Odegbami, a member of the 12th Africa Cup of Nations winning team in 1980, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that only a win could […]

The Nwankwo Kanu-led team is trailing the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia with six points, two points behind the North Africans in Group B, which also has Kenya.Segun Odegbami, a member of the 12th Africa Cup of Nations winning team in 1980, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that only a win could save the team.

“This is not the time to admonish anybody; the players and the coach should find the strength and determination to win the match to redeem their image,’’ he said.Joe Erico, a former goalkeeper trainer with the senior national team, urged total support from all Nigerians for the Coach Shaibu Amodu-tutored team.

“All that is needed at this point in time is for all Nigerians to join hands in prayer for the team to ensure victory,’’ the former national team goalkeeper advised.Victor Ikpeba, a former winner of the African Player-of-the Year award, advised the players to put in extra efforts to defeat the Mozambicans.

“The players should play to their full strength; they should put in over 200 per cent performance against the Mambas of Mozambique.“That way, they will be able to redeem their image and that of the country,’’ he advised.

Etim Esin, another former international, urged the players to go for total football to ensure victory for the senior national team.“They should go all out against the Mambas of Mozambique, as only a win would be acceptable to Nigerians.

“Anything short of a total victory means we (Nigerians) should forget about playing in South Africa in 2010,’’ the former Belgium-based Nigerian star said.