In his opening remark during the tripartite meeting between NFF, coaches and players, the Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare extolled the players for their efforts at the AFCON, and expressed belief that lessons have been learnt from the defeat to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
“I know you are still unhappy about the loss to Tunisia, but I want you to visit the anger of the defeat by Tunisia on Ghana,” Dare counselled. “We all know about the history of the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana in football, and this is one fixture that we must not lose.
“We know that dogged spirit is there in you, and we also want you to see yourself as one big family. We have confidence in you that you can do it and will give you all the support. Coaches Eguavoen and Amuneke have smooth access to the NFF President and he will always be ready to provide what you need. As for the pitch of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, we have experts working there all the time and I assure you it will be in perfect condition for the match.”
Similarly, the President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick , charged the players to face the two-leg fixture with even greater determination and play with grit, guts, zest and elan.
“These are two very crucial matches in which you have to give more than your best. Winning the World Cup ticket is non-negotiable, ” Amaju noted.
Also at the meeting was General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
Among the players present were Musa, Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Abdullahi Shehu, Sadiq Umar, Jamilu Collins, Frank Onyeka, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Kelechi Nwakali, Wilfred Ndidi, Zaidu Sanusi, Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Oghenekaro Etebo, Daniel Akpeyi, Peter Olayinka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Samuel Kalu, Henry Onyekuru.
Nigeria, who have featured in six of the past seven FIFA World Cup finals, slug it out with the Black Stars in Cape Coast on Thursday, 24th March before both teams tango again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 27th March.