Tag: dedicates

Goal scorer Bright Dike has dedicated his first goal for Nigeria against the Catalonians on Wednesday night in Barcelona, Spain to the Almighty God.

“I dedicate the goal to God who made it possible for me to score after I got a great pass from Onazi. The goal gave me an amazing feeling,” said the forward, who made his Eagles debut in November against Venezuela.

“I feel great to score the all-important goal but it is not only me that scored the goal, it was a collective effort and I thank my teammates.”

The MLS star continued: “Onazi was running so fast with the ball and I was within reach, he decided to give me a good pass and I was too happy to finish it up, that is what we call team work and the coach has been telling us to always play with ourselves and it showed in this game”, the bulky striker declared. He further said he would be too delighted to be part of the final 23 players that will be selected for the Nations Cup in South Africa and promised to do his best at the championship for the Eagles.

He also declared that the 1-1 draw with the star-studded Catalonia on Wednesday will lift the Super Eagles leading to the AFCON.

Portland Timbers of USA star Dike scored the equaliser for Nigeria in the 55th minute to ensure Nigeria took something out of this friendly after they slumped 5-0 to the same team five years ago.

“This game should build confidence and belief in the team. It was a tough match, they possess the ball very well. We made some mistakes but that is what all of these game are for to correct those mistakes,” a thrilled Dike told MTNFootball.com.

CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said his first minute goal against Liberia on Saturday in an AFCON qualifier is for his baby girl.

Ambrose rose above the Lone Star defence to power home a Victor Moses free kick beyond goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman to set the ball rolling for a big 6-1 home win and book qualification to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

“I dedicate my goal to my newly born baby, my angel Isrealle,” Ambrose told MTNFootball.com

“I give thanks to God for the goal and victory. We deserved it and the Nigerian football fan too deserved it. We are very happy here and fulfilled to get ticket.”

However, he saluted the courage of Liberia, who forced a 2-2 draw at home last month, and said the Eagles had to step up their game to ensure a convincing home win.

“The fact that we scored six goals does not mean the Liberians were easy. They did well but we were far better and that was why we won with such a wide margin,” said the central defender.

Another big winner on the day was Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who capped a solid performance in the heart of the engine room with his third international goal courtesy of a 50th minute penalty.

Fans in Calabar celebrated John Obi Mikel’s return to the Eagles by cheering his every touch and held a banner with the inscription ‘Mikel Obi, The Pride of Nigera’.

Mikel did not disappoint the fans as he capped a great individual display with a goal and an assist.

Questions over Mikel’s patriotism should all but cease after this outing.