Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has urged the Super Eagles
to take the ongoing FIFA Confederation Cup as a great opportunity to
prepare adequately for their qualification quest for next year’s World Cup holding in Brazil.
The Eagles, tutored by Stephen Keshi, need to beat Malawi in the last
Group F match at home to Malawi in Calabar, Cross River State come
September. After this, the Nigerian team would be involved in a play-off to decide her qualification for 2014 World Cup In Brazil.
The Minister said Nigeria still has a mathematical chance of booking a semi-final ticket in the Confederations Cup if the Eagles can beat the World and European champions, Spain, on Sunday.
Abdullahi said: “For me, the FIFA Confederations Cup is a learning
opportunity for the Super Eagles for the 2014 World Cup.
“I think we just need to take whatever lesson we can take away from
the competition.
“I am not saying we are completely out of the Confederations Cup yet
because it is still possible since we have a game against Spain on
Sunday (tomorrow) and this is football.
“Even Spain struggled in the first 20 minutes in their match against
Tahiti despite winning the match 10-0 eventually.
“So there is nothing that says the Eagles cannot post a good result
against Spain in Sunday’s (tomorrow’s) cracker.
“I still believe that we have a chance to move ahead in the competition.
“But then whatever happens, I believe that we have the opportunity to
learn a lesson we could learn and prepare for the 2014 World Cup
(qualifiers).”
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