As football loving Nigerians across the world hope for a good performance by the Super Eagles at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup billed for Brazil this summer, secretary-general of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea, has called on the team not to disappoint at the Mundial.
Rev. Samuel IkpeaIkpea believes that with determination and commitment on the part of the players, the team stands a good chance of surpassing the quarter-final stage achieved by the Black Stars of Ghana at the last World Cup held in South Africa in 2010.
“I’ve followed closely the preparations of the team and the friendly matches they have played so far and I’ve come to the conclusion that the team is equal to the task at the Mundial.
“Besides, the coach, Stephen Keshi, is also not taking things lightly because he knows the expectations of Nigerians, and that is why he must go for the best legs in the team for the Mundial.
“Apart from the determination and commitment from the players, they must also be mentally fit for the Mundial. Keshi must take into consideration the mentality needed by the players to win matches at the Mundial.
“Where I foresee problem in the team is in the area of selection. Pundits are calling for so many players in the team, but I think Keshi should know the players that are good for him. That does not mean that he should not take one or two advices from pundits because we are all stakeholders and that is why the team must not disappoint us,” he said.
On the commitment of NFSC, Ikpea said: “We will definitely be in Brazil for the Super Eagles. We’ve never missed any of the team’s major competitions, and this will not be an exception.
“I cannot really say the total number of our members from Nigeria that will be there, but I know that our members from outside the country will also be around to join us in cheering the team.”