Sports
2014 W/Cup: Saintfiet Tips S’Eagles For Semi Finals
Former Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet backs Nigeria to reach the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and adds that the Super Eagles could become the most successful African team at the world cup next year.
“I really do believe that Nigeria can be the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup final as Ghana couldn’t make it to that stage at the last edition in South Africa 2010.
“I believe in Nigeria’s ability,” he told Tidesports source.
Nigeria find themselves in Group F along with Argentina, debutants, Iran and Bosnia & Herzegovina after last week’s draw in Costa de Sauipe, Bahia.
The Super Eagles open their World Cup campaign against Iran on June 19 in Curitiba followed by the June 21 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina before facing South American giants Argentina in their final group match on June 25 in Porto Alegre.
Meanwhile, Gbenga Elegbeleye has warned Nigeria’s Super Eagles to be wary of their other Group F opponents – Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran – who many consider as underdogs.
The Director-General of National Sports Commission (NSC) while expressing his satisfaction with the draw, warned the Super Eagles to underrate any of their opponents.
“The fact is that we have to be careful of those so called smaller countries because they fought hard to qualify for the World Cup,” Elegbeye warned.
“So, Stephen Keshi and the NFF officials must be very careful and prepare well.”
He however believes that Nigeria have a strong chance of qualifying from Group F, in the sense that the fixtures favourably ensures that the African Champions will play against the supposedly weaker nations, before facing Argentina in the final group game on June 25, 2014.
Joseph Yobo (2) and Odemwingie (11) celebrating in Nigeria’s colours
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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