Sports
EBONYI football fans have hailed the Super Eagles over their vital win against hosts Cote d’Ivoire at the ongoing 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles on Thursday night beat the Elephants of Cote d`s Ivoire 1-0 to restore hope of a second round qualification.
The fans, who spoke to NAN on Friday in Abakaliki, attributed the victory to the return of the Nigerian fighting spirit.
Maxwell Umahi, Senior Special Assistant to the Ebonyi Governor on Urban Development, said the players played as if they realised they have been it joking.
“The players took the match as a cup final, outplayed the Ivorians in all departments and shunned the vociferous antics of the home fans.
“This was the way Nigeria played in the past and we pray that there would be no relapse,” he said.
John Madukwe, Coach of Future Stars Football Club of Abakaliki, hailed Coach Jose Peseiro for his “spot on” tactics which ultimately ensured victory.
“Realising that the Ivorians packed their midfield, he employed a 3-5-2 formation which neutralised the Ivorian`s potency.
“Peseiro’s discovery and belief in goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali seem to be yielding fruits and portends hope of solving our goalkeeping problem,” he said.
Chinedu Eneja, Publisher of Bold Images Sports Magazine, said the Eagles showed that a team should not be written off due to its performance in the first match.
“Luck which eluded Eagles against Equatorial Guinea shone in the Ivorian game with the referee deciding to review the foul on Osimhen,” he said.
Mrs Ijeoma Njelita, a Youth Activist and Soccer Enthusiast urged the team to win its final match with Guinea Bissau and top the group.
“Agreed that there are no longer minnows in football, it is still preferable to top the group and meet a lesser fancied opponent in the second round.
“Nigerians should continue praying for the team to prevent the usual heartbreaks experienced when expectations are high,” she said.
NAN
19th January 2024
C.E
Tags: AFCON Maxwell Umahi Super Eagles
