![]() |
Celebrating Super Eagles’ players throw Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr up in the air after their 1-0 defeat of Zambia to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup. PHOTO: NFF. |
Members of the senior national team, Super Eagles, were all
smiles on Saturday following the avalanche of rewards that came with their
qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,
Uyo.
Nigeria defeated Zambia 1-0 to book its place in the
32-nation FIFA World Cup billed for Russia next June.Coming moments after
defender, Shehu Abdullahi got N1 million and 10 bags of rice for his man of the
match performance, multi–millionaire business mogul, Chief Kensington Adebutu
rewarded the entire team with the sum of N50 million for becoming the first
African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
While presenting his cheque to the team, Adebutu praised the
Super Eagles for their determination, professionalism and commitment throughout
the qualifying campaign, which saw them overhaul the so–called Group of Death
with a game to spare.
Speaking with the duo of midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and match
winner, Alex Iwobi, the successful businessman urged the team not to rest on
its oars, but to prepare hard to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa at
the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next year summer.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ Manager, Gernot Rohr has revealed
that the team would begin preparation for the World Cup immediately.
Nigeria has won four matches, including the 2-1 defeat of
Zambia in Ndola on match day one, 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo, 4-0 bashing
of Cameroun also in Uyo and Saturday’s 1-0 win in the reversed fixture against
Zambia on Saturday. The team’s only draw came against Cameroun in Yaoundé.
The Super Eagles will go to Algeria for the final game of
Group B already assured of a place in Russia.Speaking after Saturday’s game
against Zambia, Rohr said: “It is not over yet. We need to build a solid team
for the World Cup.
“We won four of the five matches played. With the quality of
teams in the group, I didn’t think it would be possible.”On the game against
Zambia, Rohr acknowledged that “it was a very difficult game… in fact the most
difficult for us in the qualifying series because of what was at stake; because
we knew a win would take us there and we were eager to finish it off.
“I commend the Zambians for their spirit. They fought very
hard. This team was different from the one we defeated in Ndola last year; this
was a much better and stronger team.
“I am very happy for the players and for this great nation,
for us to qualify with a match in hand. It is a good feeling and after this
night, we will begin to plan about how to prepare for the World Cup.“But we
have the final match in Algeria next month, and perhaps we can have a friendly
within that window as well and begin the preparation for Russia 2018.”
Guardian
0 comments:
Post a Comment