Eagles don’t need extra motivation to beat Ethiopia – Ameobi

Super Eagles and Newcastle United of England striker, Shola Ameobi, has told who cares to listen that playing for the Super Eagles is enough extra motivation for any player who is from Nigeria and that putting on the green-white-green jersey of Nigeria in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia would surely fire up the players to get the desired victory on Sunday when the Eagles lock horns with the Walyas Antelopes Ethiopia in the important 2014 World Cup’s first leg, play-off.
Ameobi, in a chat with The Eagle Online at the swimming pool side of the Bolton White Apartment Camp of the Eagles in Abuja, confessed that it took him so long to finally get the opportunity to play for his fatherland, Nigeria, and he considered it a rare privilege and would risk anything to ensure Nigeria emerges victorious against host team, Ethiopia, if he is fielded in the match.
The Newcastle forward, while thanking President Goodluck Jonathan for approving funds for at least 200 supporters of the team to fly to Ethiopia and support the Eagles, said the President need not go to that extra length to inspire the players because they were lucky to have the opportunity, among millions of football players in the country, to represent the nation.
So they on their part should be the ones to repay the President and the good people of Nigeria by getting victory against Ethiopia.
“We don’t need any extra motivation what so ever to beat Ethiopia. Every player in this squad knows the importance of being at the World Cup and I think that is the motivation we need to do our country proud,” he said.
“Everybody has tipped us to win the game but we must remember that Ethiopia are not pushovers. They topped their group like we topped ours and they want to be at the World Cup like we want, but we would go there and give our best for our country ensure that the result is favourable.”
Ameobi has also dismissed speculations regarding his fitness ahead of this showdown.
“I worked really hard to ensure that am fit for this game and I can tell you that am fully fit for the encounter. I am happy to be here,” he said.