Tag: underrate

• Calls for tactical discipline

Former international and Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, has declared that the Eagles must be tactically disciplined and focused to overcome the challlenges of advancing from group F in Brazil next year.

Amokachi, who bared his mind shortly after Nigeria were drawn against Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina, however, added that the Eagles will not underate any team as none of them can be regarded as an under dog.

“We have to be tactically disciplined, and, of course, we have to resist the temptation to underate any team because every team at the World Cup stands a good chance,” he said.

The former Everton and Besiktas ace described the World Cup as a competition full of thrills as teams adjudged weak on paper are quite capable of springing surprises.

“We are talking about the World Cup and at such arenas anything can happen. Every team wants to win and will aspire to achieve such dreams. On paper you could be tempted to look down on some teams but that will be wrong because the element of surprise is always there,” he said, while x-raying the draw on Supersport, on Friday.

Nigeria defender, Godfrey Oboabona has told supersport.com that he is bracing up for next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

Oboabona also wants the celebration of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph to be halted in order to allow the Super Eagles focus and prepare for their Kenyan counterparts, the Harambee Stars on March 23.

The 22-year-old is not taking the Harambee Stars for granted with the World Cup qualifier just a month away.

“It was really good winning the Africa Cup of Nations in my first attempt and returning home as one of the heroes of such a feat. The welcome party we received was massive and unforgettable, and I’m so happy to be a part of this historic team. But all I see now is more work for us in future with the World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup in the coming weeks and months.

“First, my focus is on Kenya. Now we are champions of Africa and everyone will be out to beat us and we will not find any easy game any longer, though we know we will get a lot of respect from our opponents. So, the party is over and work starts for the game against Kenya.

“Underrate Kenya? No way are we going to do such. Our aim is to qualify for the World Cup in 2014 and the coach (Stephen Keshi) has told us how important that is. And by God’s grace we will achieve that. But it will be a game at a time,” said the Sunshine Stars defender.

Oboabona played all of Nigeria’s six matches at the AFCON in South Africa and is now looking forward to feature against world champions, Spain, Uruguay and Tahiti at the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June.

“I’m looking forward to the Confederations Cup by God’s grace but the Kenya game comes first,” said Oboabona.

Nigeria currently top Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification for Africa on four points ahead of Namibia, Malawi and Kenya in that order after two rounds of matches.

Rivers State Director of Sports Daobu Harry says the state will not underrate any state in its bid to emerge the overall winner of the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Eko 2012’.

Harry told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday that Mr Tele Ikuru, the Deputy Governor of the state and leader of Team Rivers to the games, had tasked the state’s athletes to surpass the number of medals won during the Garden City Games.

Rivers topped the 17th edition, in Port Harcourt in 2011 with a medal haul of 299, comprising 135 gold, 79 silver and 85 bronze medals.

The director said Team Rivers was determined to achieve the target set for it at the ongoing sports fiesta.

“We have told the whole world that we want to remove the impression in so many people last year that we won because we hosted.

“We want to remove this impression from people and that is why we have been telling people we are coming to Lagos on a neutral ground to defend our title and to bring back the cup.

“That has been our aim and that has been what we have been pursuing for. Of course, the first gold medal in the festival, we picked it.

“We should have picked the second gold medal, but well, in sports, a little mistake can cost you a gold medal, but we have not ended.

“Today, our girls, just in volleyball, beat Ogun State 3-0 and we are coasting ahead, we are coasting ahead and we are sure that their aim is to bring back the trophy and win.

“And, that is our plan, and that is our goal and that is where we are pursuing it to,” he said.

Harry said that Team Rivers was aware of preparations by rival states, and would work hard to retain the trophy.

He said the athletes had been charged to work extra hard to overcome all opposition.