Confederations Cup: Fans Anticipate Good Outing For Super Eagles

Football enthusiasts have expressed hope in the ability of the Super Eagles to put up a good showing at the FIFA Confederations Cup which began in Brazil at the weekend.

The fans, who spoke in separate interviews last Thursday in Abuja, said they expected the team to at least have a semi-finals berth.

The Super Eagles will face Tahiti today in Group B and later take on Uruguay and world champions, Spain.

Director of Finance and Administration, National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, told newsmen that a semi-final berth for the Eagles was a realistic target.

“We will do well in the Confederations Cup by the grace of God. Certainly, we are aiming at the semi-finals.

“As for me, if they can get to the semi-finals, they would have done well.

“However, if they can go beyond that, then it will be a plus; you know that in football, anything is possible,’’ he said.

NSC’s Press Secretary, Tony Ohaeri, said the Super Eagles were psychologically prepared for the Confederations Cup.

“The Super Eagles are mentally sound at the moment and have not lost any competitive match since winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in South Africa early in the year.

Ohaeri said he hoped that they could take the same spirit to the Confederations Cup.

He added that it was good for our national image and the players’ psyche as they prepare for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“I believe they are in the right frame of mind for the competition, though they will be competing with big football nations in Europe, South America, and so on.

“But I am confident that with the crop of boys we have in the squad, they can hold their own against any team in the world.

“I am not expecting them to lift the trophy, but I am sure they are going to give a good account of themselves; they will represent Africa very well.

However, a journalist with the Sun newspapers, Romanus Ugwu, called on Nigerians not to expect too much from the Super Eagles in the competition.

“You are aware that we will be playing the world’s best. It is better Nigerians do not hope on anything and enjoy the Confederations Cup matches.

“My only prayer is that Africa’s representatives in the tournament are not disgraced,’’ Ugwu said.

The Super Eagles will on Thursday afternoon fly to Johannesburg to connect a South African Airways flight to Sao Paulo.

They will then travel to Belo Horizonte for their first match of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament against Tahiti on June 17.