Nigeria’s revelation at the South África 2013 Nations Cup, Sunday Mba, hopes to shine on the bigger stages that the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederation Cup will provide.
“It’s great to see the interest that I have generated since the Nations Cup. But I believe I can do more, especially with the national team,” said an upbeat Mba when asked about this summer programme.
“Last week, we showed character against Mexico in the 2-2 draw in Houston, Texas, and the victory over Kenya. So, we have set a standard and Nigerians do not expect anything less when the Confederations Cup finally kicks off.”
Whether the Nigeria-based player makes a splash as big as he did at the AFCON earlier this year, Mba’s place in Nigerian football history is assured and in fact his exploits in many ways made the continental success even more meaningful for the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles lead Africa’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group F on eight points from four matches with Malawi now the closest rivals also on six points.
Namibia are on four points, while Kenya are bottom of the standings on two points.
Nigeria though will be without several of their top stars from the recent Nations Cup triumph like Spartak Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike; Chelsea winger, Victor Moses; and skipper Joseph Yobo.
Mba, the industrious midfielder, said: “Yes, we will be without some of our top stars for the qualifiers as well as the Confederations Cup.
“We would have loved to have them with us, but we hope that we still get the results we need even without them.”
Nigeria will compete at their second FIFA Confederations Cup after they first appeared in the inter-continental tournament in 1995 and finished fourth.
They open their campaign on June 17 in Belo Horizonte against islanders Tahiti and also face meetings with world and European champions Spain, as well as Uruguay.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
