Admin l Sunday, October 08, 2017
UYO, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria – NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko and some other Members of the NFF Board, NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi and other Members of the NFF Management were in buoyant mood as they joined the players in celebration following Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals on Saturday.
Pinnick, also a member of the Executive Committee of CAF, was thrown up in the air by Super Eagles’ players as the spontaneous celebrations at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium became elaborate. The same treatment was given to Coach Gernot Rohr, the 64 –year old Franco-German who was employed in August last year and has lost only one of 10 matches, winning six; NFF 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko and; Captain Mikel Obi and playmaker Victor Moses.
The Eagles unfurled two large banners with messages: ‘We are Eagles; We are flying to Russia’ and ‘Thank You Uyo’, to the delight of the cheering, 35,000 -capacity crowd. They also wore specially –designed T-Shirts conveying the same message.
Pinnick told thenff.com: “I am short of words. Let me just say that I am very, very happy. This is the sixth time Nigeria is qualifying for the World Cup, but this one is very sweet because many referred to our section as a ‘Group of Death’. We have survived. We give glory to God.”
An equally joyous Sanusi said: “We are excited and as this Board has continued to promise, it is not just about qualification. We will ensure the best preparation for the team to set a new record of performance for Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup when they go to Russia next year.”
Nigeria’s best outing at the FIFA World Cup has been the Round of 16, which they reached in 1994, 1998 and 2014. They were eliminated in the group phase in 2002 and 2010.
7 is a perfect number
The Super Eagles have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after playing seven matches, and wrapping up the ticket on 7th October 2017. Those seven matches include the home-and-away preliminary round against Swaziland in November 2016.
After a 0-0 draw in Lobamba on 13th November, Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose got the goals that qualified Nigeria for the group phase at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on 17th November 2015.
On 9th October 2016, they defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola with goals from Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and; on 12th November 2016, they overcame Algeria 3-1 in Uyo. Two of the goals were by Victor Moses and the other by Captain Mikel Obi.
On 1st September 2017, African champions Cameroon suffered a 4-0 reverse in Uyo (the goals by Odion Ighalo, Mikel, Moses and Iheanacho), and three days later in Yaounde, the Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw. Moses Simon scored Nigeria’s goal.
On Saturday, 7th October 2017, the Super Eagles got the job done, beating the Chipolopolo 1-0 with a 74th minute goal by Alex Iwobi. Seven different players have scored Nigeria’s 13 goals of the series so far: Victor Moses (3), Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho (2 each), Odion Ighalo and Efe Ambrose (one each).
Fitting birthday gift for Ola Aina
Defender Ola Aina, who played at junior level for England but opted to represent fatherland at senior level, was handed his Nigerian debut on Saturday – the same day the Super Eagles became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Aina, who was cleared by FIFA to dorn the green-and-white just before the away match against Cameroon in Yaounde last month, got his opportunity after left back Elderson Echiejile got injured in the 79th minute.
“He did pretty well. He tackes well, joins the attack, has the heart for the big game and very calculating,” Rohr praised Aina at the post –match conference.
Incidentally, Ola Aina will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday, 8th October 2017.
