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2010 World Cup draws: Adepoju, Oliha , Lawal optimistic on Eagles
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- Written by David Ngobua
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their campaign in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against familiar foes soccer Argentina as both countries have once again found themselves in the same group at the end of yesterday’s World Cup draws which held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Nigeria and Argentina have been grouped along with Korea Republic and Greece in Group B.
Interestingly, despite the intimidating presence of Argentina in the group, former Nigerian internationals are very optimistic that the Eagles will surely qualify from the group which some have described as relatively easy.
The draws which pitched Nigeria and Argentina together again brings to memory the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America where Nigeria was in the same group with Argentina, Bulgeria and Greece.
It will be recalled that even as it was their debut in the World Cup, Eagles proved book makers wrong by topping their group ahead of Argentina as they recorded convincing victories over Bulgaria and Greece.
The team led by Dutchman Clemence Westerhof went on to play in the round of 16 but lost to Italy, a defeat which football pundits blamed on inexperience.
Even as Eagles will have revenge on their minds as they confront Argentina in South Africa, they will have to do something extra ordinary to beat the Argentines to the leadership of the group.
However, when Trustsports sought the views of some former Nigerian internationals, they were unanimous in their stand that if they could put their acts together, the Eagles will qualify from the group.
A member of the 1994 squad, Mutiu Adepoju said Eagles will not have any problem qualifying from the group because if they were able to do it as far back as 1994 even without World Cup experience, he does not see any reason why the present Eagles should be intimidated by any opponent in the group.
He said the group is not easy but not very tough and so with adequate preparation, Eagles would come out of it.
“It is a group of equal opponents. It is not very tough but not very easy. Nigeria can do it again. It is going to be the best against the best. In our time, we did not have any World Cup experience but were able to beat Argentina to the top position in our group. I have no doubt that the present Eagles with their experience shouldn’t have any serious problems”.
Another member of the 1994 World Cup, Thompson Oliha said Nigeria will qualify from the group but the team should not make the mistake of over concentrating on Argentina.
He noted that every country in the World Cup finals is the best and must be given equal attention.
Oliha said in South Africa, many things will work in Eagles favour and if the team prepares well for the challenge, it shouldn’t have any difficulty qualifying.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will qualify along with Argentina. I know every country in the World Cup finals deserve attention but if we could do it as far back as 1994, I believe the present Eagles will repeat the same feat. However, Eagles should not make the mistake of over concentrating on Argentina”
Garba Lawal who played for Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup in France said Eagles are in a very tough group but if they put their acts together, they would qualify from the group.
He maintained that Argentina will pose a very serious challenge because their players are among the best in the world.
Lawal said with the right attitude, the Super Eagles would qualify from the group and go ahead to spring some more surprises in the World Cup.
“The players want to make history by beating the best opponents in the world. Some of them may play twice others may be playing their last World Cup so there is much for them to play for. It is not going to be very easy for Nigeria in the group but I am still very confident that Eagles will give a good account of themselves.
“If the players want to win, they have the abilities but they must be ready to do something extra ordinary because a lot of water has passed under the bridge between 1994 and now”.
Articles
2010 World Cup draws: Adepoju, Oliha , Lawal optimistic on Eagles
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 792
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will begin their campaign in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against familiar foes soccer Argentina as both countries have once again found themselves in the same group at the end of yesterday’s World Cup draws which held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.Nigeria and Argentina have been grouped along with Korea Republic and Greece in Group B.
Interestingly, despite the intimidating presence of Argentina in the group, former Nigerian internationals are very optimistic that the Eagles will surely qualify from the group which some have described as relatively easy.
The draws which pitched Nigeria and Argentina together again brings to memory the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America where Nigeria was in the same group with Argentina, Bulgeria and Greece.
It will be recalled that even as it was their debut in the World Cup, Eagles proved book makers wrong by topping their group ahead of Argentina as they recorded convincing victories over Bulgaria and Greece.
The team led by Dutchman Clemence Westerhof went on to play in the round of 16 but lost to Italy, a defeat which football pundits blamed on inexperience.
Even as Eagles will have revenge on their minds as they confront Argentina in South Africa, they will have to do something extra ordinary to beat the Argentines to the leadership of the group.
However, when Trustsports sought the views of some former Nigerian internationals, they were unanimous in their stand that if they could put their acts together, the Eagles will qualify from the group.
A member of the 1994 squad, Mutiu Adepoju said Eagles will not have any problem qualifying from the group because if they were able to do it as far back as 1994 even without World Cup experience, he does not see any reason why the present Eagles should be intimidated by any opponent in the group.
He said the group is not easy but not very tough and so with adequate preparation, Eagles would come out of it.
“It is a group of equal opponents. It is not very tough but not very easy. Nigeria can do it again. It is going to be the best against the best. In our time, we did not have any World Cup experience but were able to beat Argentina to the top position in our group. I have no doubt that the present Eagles with their experience shouldn’t have any serious problems”.
Another member of the 1994 World Cup, Thompson Oliha said Nigeria will qualify from the group but the team should not make the mistake of over concentrating on Argentina.
He noted that every country in the World Cup finals is the best and must be given equal attention.
Oliha said in South Africa, many things will work in Eagles favour and if the team prepares well for the challenge, it shouldn’t have any difficulty qualifying.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria will qualify along with Argentina. I know every country in the World Cup finals deserve attention but if we could do it as far back as 1994, I believe the present Eagles will repeat the same feat. However, Eagles should not make the mistake of over concentrating on Argentina”
Garba Lawal who played for Nigeria at the 1998 World Cup in France said Eagles are in a very tough group but if they put their acts together, they would qualify from the group.
He maintained that Argentina will pose a very serious challenge because their players are among the best in the world.
Lawal said with the right attitude, the Super Eagles would qualify from the group and go ahead to spring some more surprises in the World Cup.
“The players want to make history by beating the best opponents in the world. Some of them may play twice others may be playing their last World Cup so there is much for them to play for. It is not going to be very easy for Nigeria in the group but I am still very confident that Eagles will give a good account of themselves.
“If the players want to win, they have the abilities but they must be ready to do something extra ordinary because a lot of water has passed under the bridge between 1994 and now”.