Keep going, Eagles, just keep going

I must say that I am delighted at the way the squad responded to my charge of last week: You Can Do It. And they did it in very impressive fashion against the host nation. As I said last week, while past results in sport encounters may not necessary count in a new contest (which, […]

I must say that I am delighted at the way the squad responded to my charge of last week: You Can Do It. And they did it in very impressive fashion against the host nation. As I said last week, while past results in sport encounters may not necessary count in a new contest (which, truly, is a new day and a new event), psychological advantage definitely resides with the team that has the upper hand in those encounters. And given the highly skewed nature of the graph of past results between both nations, the South Africans needed more than just team spirit to down the Eagles last Saturday.
I was at the Nigeria team’s first match, against Mali, in the competition and even in defeat, I noticed that the team had quality and only needed to play with self-assuredness, surefootedness and calmness, and it would do much better. That is exactly what is happening. Against Mozambique, although I had left Cape Town for a meeting in Germany, I saw the transformation that the team had experienced, thanks to that unexpected loss to Mali and renewed fighting spirit based on what the players must have heard about Nigerians’ comments back home.
With confidence and fresh courage, they approached the match against the Mozambicans but still got a huge shock when the Mozambicans took the lead from a 50-yard free kick. Surely, goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim left much to be desired in the opening match, and as Captain, had a responsibility to get the squad going on the field in the second match.
However, the goalkeeper himself must have been stunned by his poor effort at that deadball situation that stabbed at the confidence with which the team started the match. And fighting like wounded lions, they pushed to a 4-2 win at the end. Against the Bafana Bafana (interesting that SAFA is now considering name-change, as part of a wholesale rethink), the Eagles doubled their confidence against a side that had never beaten Nigeria in a competitive match, and the result was a comprehensive 3-1 whiplash in front of traumatised Cape Townians.
Against Ethiopia in a friendly encounter in Abuja and during the opening match against Mali, Ejike Uzoenyi did not really sparkle. I got messages and calls from people wondering why Coach Keshi was reposing so much confidence in him.
There were those who wondered why the player, if he was good enough, had to be sent packing from his French club after only a few months. But against Mozambique, although he was not on the scoresheet, he was named Man Of The Match. With greater confidence and go-go pace, Uzoenyi drew the whole team around him and apparently told them that South Africa would be no problem. And that was what happened.
After scoring two of the three goals and again receiving the Man Of The Match award, Uzoenyi looks very ready to draw the squad around him again as they go for the jugular of Morocco’s Atlas Lions in this afternoon’s quarter final duel at the Cape Town Stadium.
On Tuesday, at the NFF Secretariat, I was accosted by a couple of media personnel who wanted to know my thinking on what the Eagles are capable of achieving. Of course, I told them in unmistakable terms that we had prepared the boys and motivated them to go all the way and bring the trophy home.
The present administration does not believe in half measures, or what is generally referred to as ‘fire brigade approach’. Our principle from the first day in office had been to commit to preparing all our teams adequately for all major matches and championships.
And that has worked well for us. Today, we look forward to making it 11 trophies in 41 months as the Super Eagles confront the Atlas Lions with even greater confidence and calmness, believing they are going for the trophy.
With earlier trophies garnered from the Rainbow Nation: African Women Championship (December 2010), African Youth Championship (May 2011), Africa Cup of Nations (February 2013) and Mandela Challenge (August 2013), there is no doubt that South Africa has been a happy hunting ground for the present NFF administration and our National Teams.
The African Nations Championship will be our 5th trophy won in South Africa, out of a total of 11 (that is, after February 1). That means almost 50 percent of all trophies won so far in the life of this Board. Who would not want South Africa to host more major events?
My charge to Eagles B is to go all out and make today their day in Cape Town. We want them to replicate the performance against South Africa, or perhaps even do better. I am here to give them support.
Falconets also hunting in South Africa
The U-20 Women National Team, Falconets, are also hunting in South Africa, as they face South Africa’s Basetsana in the final leg of African qualifying series for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup taking place in Canada. Having won the first leg 6-0 in Abuja two weeks ago, there can be no major collapse on the part of our girls who have prepared well for the return leg, and all we see is victory for the Falconets at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, where the U-20 boys (Flying Eagles) won the African Youth Championship trophy in 2011.
Once through with the qualifiers, the NFF will ensure the Falconets are well prepared to do the nation and Africa proud at the final competition in Canada. Remember the Falconets were runners-up of the 2010 finals in Germany.
Next Week: Our Expectations for First Quarter (2)