Tag: pressure

Nigeria’s sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi believes the Super Eagles could benefit from having no expectations on them heading into the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

The team failed to qualify for the last tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea but the two-time winners are still rated as one of the favourites in South Africa.

Prospects have in the past been high for Nigeria heading into international tournaments.

However, in the build-up to the Nations Cup, these have since lowered with many believing that reaching the knockout stage of the competition will be considered a success.

“We have to be realistic, this is a new team and we have to be very careful,” Abudallahi told reporters.

“It will not be easy for the team under coach Stephen Keshi to be building and contesting at the same time.

“We [the government] do not expect much from the team because it is still a new team.

“I hope they will benefit from this and give their best as expected without any pressure whatsoever.”

Interestingly, when Keshi was appointed by the Nigerian Football Federation in November 2011, the ex-defender was handed the mandate of steering the side to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup.

Abdullahi distanced himself from those targets and insists that the government’s expectations are next to nothing – even thought the government funds the team.

“They are not under any target from us so that’s very clear,” he said.

“The coach and players need support from every Nigerian, and as government we will give them the necessary support they need.

“So let’s hope that everybody will put their hands together for the team to do well.”

Regarded as continental giants, Nigeria have won the Nations Cup only twice, on home soil in 1980 and in 1994 in Tunisia. The Super Eagles have finished as runners-up on four occasions (1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000) and they have emerged as second runners-up a record seven times.

Meanwhile, Nigeria are expected to announce their 17 foreign-based players for their Nations Cup training camp in Faro, Portugal.

They will join a 24-man locally-based squad in Portugal for the friendlies against Catalonia and Angola in Spain and Portugal respectively in January.

Nigeria begin their Nations Cup campaign against Burkina Faso on 21 January and then face Zambia and Ethiopia in Group C.

Unlike what it was made to believe that there was no pressure on the Super Eagles prior to the all-important Africa Nations Cup decider against the Lone Stars of Liberia, the Coordinator of the team, Emmanuel Attah has confessed that there was a lot of pressure on the team to beat Liberia and pick the 2013 ANC ticket.

“First of all we have to give God the glory that we won this match convincingly and to me the victory is dedicated to God. I must confess to you that we were under pressure before this match was played because the whole nation focused on this match but I am happy that we were victorious at the end of the match,” he said.

Attah also hinted that the failure of the Liberian team to give the Eagles the respect they deserve also cost the visiting team a great deal.

“Liberia never gave us any respect prior to this match. But we knew what we were going to do and that is why we never made noise. Another important fact is that the boys were angry for this disrespect from the Liberian team and wanted to prove a point. The boys were also ready to appease Nigerians and bring back the confidence that should be reposed in them by Nigerians,” he disclosed to SportingLife.

The former FCT Football Association Chairman also said that the Nigerian team did not plan or expect goals’ harvest prior to the match. “We actually planned to score three or four goals in the match. We could have even scored 10 goals against them but we are happier and thank God that we not only won the match convincingly but also book our ticket to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa next year January,” he further disclosed.

He also used the medium to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his support to the team and Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke who according to him did everything humanly possible to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the Nations Cup

“I, on behalf of the team, thank Mr. President who gave us the inspiration to win this match as well as qualify for the competition. His support to the team has been massive. Mr. President asked us to beat Liberia and pick the ANC ticket which we have done now. I believe he would be in South Africa to continue to support the team. Also the Cross River State Governor has made Calabar Eagles’ fortress and we are most grateful to him for all he has done for us. I can only say here that the Super Eagles have more surprises for Nigeria when we the battle commences in South Africa come January,” Attah summed up.

Super Eagles first choice goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama, revealed he was not under any sort of pressure to deliver after he was been criticized by the football fans ahead of last weekend game against Liberia.

Enyeama made some costly mistake against Malawi and Liberia and reports stated that he might start from the bench on Saturday but Coach Stephen Keshi showed faith in him as he was appointed the captain and led the team to victory.

He was not tested much as the Eagles dominated the game, he had a wonderful save in the first half to denied Liberia from equaling the scores.

He said: “I’m a professional player and I expect the fans to cry out loud and demand for a Nations Cup ticket after last year disappointment.

“I was not under pressure to deliver because I knew I got the quality, I worked hard ahead of the game and everyone of us understood the task ahead.

“It was a great feeling to be part of the team, as we make Nigerians happy again and also the faith the coaches had in me.”

Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi says he’s under pressure to win on Saturday even as he remains optimistic that his boys would overrun the Lone Star of Liberia to pick the available ticket to next year’s edition of the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa.

Keshi who had a full training with all his boys in camp on Thursday, told SportingLife that he is under pressure to win.

“Life is all about pressure. There is pressure everywhere in the country. There is pressure in government, and there is pressure in all our human activities. There is pressure on us in Super Eagles to win. The players are under pressure because they want to qualify for the Africa Nations Cup. There is pressure on the technical crew to ensure that they put the players in top shape to play well and win. We cannot afford to disappoint our numerous fans in country. We cannot afford not to get to the Nations Cup this time around. We are all under pressure to perform,” he said.

Speaking further, the big boss warned: “Go and tell the Lone Star of Liberia that they cannot stop me from going to South Africa next year, because I am under pressure to qualify my country for the championship. I cannot disappoint my countrymen, who are solidly behind us. We cannot afford to do that. we are condemned to win and make them happy. Nigerians are passionate about the Super Eagles, and we cannot afford to fail them.”

The former Head Coach of the Hawks of Togo insists he is not disturbed with happenings in the Lone Star camp.

“I’m not bothered about the preparation of the Liberians. I don’t care about monitoring what they are doing, I am only concerned now about my own team, I want them to be in good shape. I want them to be on top of their games, I want them to remain focused, and I want them to be in good health. If we have all these, there is nothing stopping us from winning. We would continue to work hard, and keep pushing until we achieve the ultimate, which is qualifying for the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa next January,” he noted.