Nigeria’s Super Eagles is a team full of confidence and steam-rolling opponents at the 3rd Orange African Nations Championship –South Africa 2014.
Having landed in Bloemfontein to face the Black Stars of Ghana in Wednesday’s (29-January) semi-final, the Super Eagles are aware that they have not had it easy against neighbours their Ghanaian counterparts.
The last time Nigeria beat Ghana in a competitive tournament was on 23rd January 2006 during the AFCON finals in Egypt. An 85th minute goal from Taye Taiwo won the day for Nigeria in the opening match at the group phase (Group D). The subsequent encounters between the two household nations in African football have tilted in favour of the Black Stars.
It is an open secret that rivalry in football does come any bigger than Ghana against Nigeria and the outcome is always unprectibale. Cafonline.com spoke to Christantus Uzoenyi Ejike, Nigeria’s winger who scored the all-important third goal against Morocco that took the quarter final into extra time before Super Eagles scored a fourth to complete one of the great come –backs in football.
Cafonline.com: How much is the buzz from that quarter final win still driving the team?
Ejike: The spirit amongst us has remained high and we are focused on doing well on Wednesday. We are on course to win this Championship
Cafonline.com: Wow, that is a bold declaration, where is that confidence coming from?
Ejike: It may surprise others but to us in the team, we know our goal and why we are here in this tournament. We mean business and you have all seen how we communicated this belief on the field of play. Yes there is a lot of respect for Ghana but nobody is going to stand in our way to win the trophy. So Ghana will fall on Wednesday.
Cafonline.com: Ghanaian defence has only been breached once, how do you intend to get the better of it?
Ejike: This is Super Eagles we are talking about here, we will find a way to score and believe me we shall score. I would love to be among the scorers but what’s important is to win and not so much who has got the goals.
Cafonline.com: Coach Keshi has said places for 2014 World Cup are still up for grabs how much of a motivating factor is this massage to you players?
Ejike: This has been good news to the players and we are playing to impress the coaching staff with a view to be considered for the team to go to Brazil. It would be great if two, three or more players from this CHAN squad made it into the Super Eagles side to play at the World Cup. When one gets a chance during a tournament like this one has to make the most of it and l know that our team is benefiting from that kind of attitude and commitment.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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