Nigeria team (Back row L-R) Nigeria’s midfielder John
Obi Mikel, Nigeria’s defender William Troost-Ekong,
Nigeria’s defender Leon Balogun, Nigeria’s midfielder
Victor Moses, Nigeria’s midfielder Joel Obi and
Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, (Front row L-R)
Nigeria’s striker Odion Ighalo, Nigeria’s defender
Shehu Abdullahi, Nigeria’s midfielder Alex Iwobi,
Nigeria’s midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Nigeria’s
defender Bryan Idowu line up for a pre-game
photograph ahead of the International friendly football
match between England and Nigeria at Wembley
stadium in London on June 2, 2018. / AFP PHOTO
With less than three days to the commencement of the 2018
world soccer tournament in Russia, the Governor of Edo State,
Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the national team, Super
Eagles, to set their eyes on the trophy as the team has all it
takes to win the tournament.
According to Obaseki, the current Super Eagles team is
made up of young and talented players who have
distinguished themselves in their various teams, home
and abroad, and are determined to make their mark in
history as the soccer fiesta begins this week.
“The team has our support and we are hopeful that we will
make it to the final and win the trophy. All that is required of the
players is to keep their eyes on the trophy and approach each
match with a high sense of commitment to national duty,” the
governor advised.
He urged the players to see themselves “as ambassadors of
Nigeria who have the rare chance to advance a new narrative
about Nigeria on the world soccer stage.”
Obaseki said: “The World Cup has become a very strong tool for
diplomacy and image refresh. I urge our players to appreciate
the bigger picture and comport themselves in a manner that
befits the new Nigeria that we are working hard to build.
“I am confident that the Nigerian spirit, coupled with the strict
adherence to instructions by their technical team, will take our
Super Eagles to victory.”
The month-long soccer event will see the Nigerian side lock
horns with Croatia on Saturday in their opener, a match,
analysts say will set the tone for the Super Eagles’ aspiration to
win the highly coveted trophy.
