Reps Laud Home Eagles For Jordan Exposure

The Chairman, House of
Representatives Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, has in Abuja described the home-based Super Eagles’ 1-0 loss to Jordan as a “baptism of fire’’.
The Nigerian team is using the match, played in Amman, to prepare for the forthcoming Championship of African Nations (CHAN), and Jordan is preparing for the 2014 World Cup play-off with Uruguay.
Gaiya told newsmen that the match was a stepping stone for most of the players who were playing international match for the first time.
“There is no cause for alarm because it is a friendly match and these players were assembled barely three days before they departed for Jordan.
“For me, it is a good exposure for the players because almost all of them that participated in the match have never played any international match for Nigeria before.
“So, it is ‘baptism of fire’ and it could have been either way; we cannot allow our spirits be dampened by the defeat because it is part of learning and building process.
“We still have up to January to participate in CHAN.’’
Gaiya expressed the hope that a formidable team would be assembled before CHAN.
Musa Amadu, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), said that the goal scored by Jordan was “dubious’’.
Amadu, however, said the NFA was satisfied with the outcome of the match.
“We are satisfied with what has happened today. The goal that was scored was a dubious penalty.
“The important thing is that we have started giving the home-based team the best friendly matches prior to when the team will open camp in December for CHAN.
“It was a good thing they went to play with Jordan and we could see that they didn’t really put up a spirited fight.
“The team can only get better,’’ Amadu said.
According to him, the objective of the project is to train the team and give them the best support so that they can go to South Africa in January for the third edition of CHAN and win the championship.
The 2014 CHAN is scheduled to take place between January 11 and February 1 in South Africa.