These Eagles can tackle the world!

The previous day, I was at the Craven Cottage as the Eagles took on four-time world champions Squadrra Azzurri of Italy in a friendly match that came only 48 hours after the final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia in Calabar, and what I saw excited me.It is still like six-and-half months away, […]

The previous day, I was at the Craven Cottage as the Eagles took on four-time world champions Squadrra Azzurri of Italy in a friendly match that came only 48 hours after the final 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia in Calabar, and what I saw excited me.
It is still like six-and-half months away, but the feeling I got from the game in Fulham against one of the best teams in the world is that our boys can truly stand up to the world.
“We can tackle the world” was the clear message from boys who actually had no training session after the match in Calabar before boarding the bus to west London. It was a near-blur waking up early on Sunday morning, hours after the 2014 FIFA World Cup was tucked safely in the pocket and appearance at the inaugural edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, to drive to the airport for the flight to Lagos.
Five minutes to the end of the match in Calabar, the heavens opened up and the final minutes were actually ‘wet’, but with the Super Eagles leading 2-0, to make it 4-1 on aggregate, we all simply waited for the final whistle.
I specially appreciate the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON for continued support for the Nigeria Football Federation, and the magic of Calabar, which also hosted the world-conquering Golden Eaglets. I also thank him and his administration very much for the decision to reward each player and official of the Golden Eaglets with house in Calabar’s new city.
I must only appreciate the Honourable Minister of Sports, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi, who continues to savour glory after glory, and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who has been quite supportive of NFF’s programmes.
The people of Calabar were great in more ways than one, and I believe there is need to dedicate a full article to their enthusiasm, hospitality and unfailing support.
Back to the match in London, I was somewhat worried that the Eagles could not have a decent training session before the match against such a strong team and as we coursed through London to the match venue, all I wanted was for the boys to show the heart that we know they have and battle the four-time world champions to a standstill.
However, as the match wore on, I became truly convinced that we could win. The agility of goalkeeper Austin Ejide and composure of Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona and other home boys like Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis made one to smile every now and then.
There was really no inferiority complex on the side of our players and I have the confidence that if we had taken one or two of our chances, the African champions would have carried the day.
What the Super Eagles showed in London on Monday was the stuff of champions and we all should do everything to support and encourage them to go to Brazil feeling they can overcome any challenge.
Adequate preparation would be key and the Nigeria Football Federation would be ready to offer that thanks to the pledge of full support from the Government and our sponsors.
While we await the teams that would be our first round opponents, to be known at the Draw Ceremony in Salvador on December 6, we can only continue to fashion out a solid plan that will take the Eagles far in the  championship, over and above what any other African team has achieved at the FIFA World Cup.
Africa Cup of Nations glory, participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament and finishing top of their qualifying group before dismantling Ethiopia home-and-away appear to have combined to implant great self-belief in the players and officials of the Super Eagles.
I beamed as Shola Ameobi looked very comfortable on the ball and hooked the ball into the box for Bright Dike (coming into the team after considerable long time) to head home for our equalizer. The same guy stepped in brilliantly to score the second goal, and we really could have kept the lead but for defensive naivety at the beginning of the second half.
There were lessons to take from that match and I want to agree with Coach Keshi that we started out giving the Italians so much respect. If we had played the first half-hour like we did the rest of the game, perhaps the Azzurri would have been in soup!
Stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama was brilliant when he came in and his saves reminded one of the way he practically stood against Lionel Messi and a goal when the Eagles played Argentina at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.
The encomiums showered on all the players mean that everyone appreciated the effort they put up against a team with strong tradition for excellence and with little time for the excitement of World Cup qualification to wear off.
Surely, these Eagles can tackle the world when the World Cup begins in Brazil next year summer.
Next Week: These Amazing Golden Eaglets!