Saturday, 12 October 2013
Super Eagles and Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi said that he and his colleagues are ready to rescue a heart warming result from the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa.
Ameobi, who is looking forward to playing his first competitive game for Nigeria, stated that the feeling of being at the 2014 World Cup was already acting as a great motivation for the players majority of whom will be playing in their first World Cup if they qualify.
Out of the bunch, only Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Elderson Echejile and Brown Ideye have graced the World Cup.
“We don’t need any extra motivation whatsoever to beat Ethiopia. The squad knows the importance of being at the World Cup, that is the only motivation we need to do our country proud,” Ameobi said.
The player said he had to struggle hard to make himself fit for the encounter having picked up an injury during a premier league game for Newcastle. “I want to go to the World Cup with Nigeria, so I must make the sacrifice,” he said.
Meanwhile media committee chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Emeka Inyama said Nigerians should pray for the team to come out unscathed in Ethiopia. “We ask Nigerians to continue to pray for the Super Eagles. Football makes us happy; it brings us together; it binds Nigerians. We know that a victory in Addis Ababa will put us one leg into the World Cup in 2014. So, the players have responded to it; they reported to camp like at no other time in full force, dedicated and geared. So far, everything is okay,” he emphasized.
