Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, says the incessant unrest in Nigeria is affecting the morale and focus of his players ahead of the World Cup.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Africa’s best coach revealed that some the of the players and members of his technical team have friends and family in the affected areas, and are continuously worrying about their safety. “Directly it is not affecting us, but it is threatening us indirectly because some of us have family members around there” he said.
He however added that the Super Eagles have a task ahead and a duty to Nigeria and all Africa and thus the team is doing everything to put the crisis behind them and focus on the World Cup. “We have a duty to our country, and we will not allow the security situation to affect our preparation” he said.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });
Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi recalled how he was nearly caught up in the twin blasts that killed more than 200 people in Jos, Plateau State. He said he was just 15 minutes away from being a victim of that dastardly act. Defender Efe Ambrose, a native of Kaduna also said he still felt an affinity with the abducted Chibok girls and was following the news on their progress.
In another development the award winning coach dismissed allegations of match fixing in the warm-up match against Scotland. "We're not gamblers, we are football players. I don't even know where that is coming from” he told the press.
The Super Eagles have come under criticism after they drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage, conceding some goals that some thought devious as well as a disallowed goal that looked as if goalkeeper Austin Ejide spilled the ball into his own net. Prior to the game, there had been rumors of match fixing.
The Super Eagles kick-off their World Cup campaign against Iran on Monday June 16, 2014, at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba but before that the they are billed to play the US in their final warm-up match before the Mundial on Saturday June 7 in Jacksonville, Florida.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });