Super
Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, says the incessant unrest in Nigeria is
affecting the morale and focus of his players ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking
in an interview with ESPN, Africa’s best coach revealed that some the
of the players and members of his technical team have friends and family
in the affected areas, and are continuously worrying about their
safety. “Directly it is not affecting us, but it is threatening us
indirectly because some of us have family members around there” he said.
He
however added that the Super Eagles have a task ahead and a duty to
Nigeria and all Africa and thus the team is doing everything to put the
crisis behind them and focus on the World Cup. “We have a duty to our
country, and we will not allow the security situation to affect our
preparation” he said. continue....
Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi recalled how he was
nearly caught up in the twin blasts that killed more than 200 people in
Jos, Plateau State. He said he was just 15 minutes away from being a
victim of that dastardly act. Defender Efe Ambrose, a native of Kaduna
also said he still felt an affinity with the abducted Chibok girls and
was following the news on their progress.
In another development
the award winning coach dismissed allegations of match fixing in the
warm-up match against Scotland. "We're not gamblers, we are football
players. I don't even know where that is coming from” he told the press.
The
Super Eagles have come under criticism after they drew 2-2 at Craven
Cottage, conceding some goals that some thought devious as well as a
disallowed goal that looked as if goalkeeper Austin Ejide spilled the
ball into his own net. Prior to the game, there had been rumors of match
fixing.
The Super Eagles kick-off their World Cup campaign
against Iran on Monday June 16, 2014, at Arena da Baixada, Curitiba but
before that the they are billed to play the US in their final warm-up
match before the Mundial on Saturday June 7 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Culled from Saharareporter
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