World Cup: Only proper preparation will make
Eagles excel — Keshi
on december 07, 2013 at 8:54 pm in sports
*Confesses ignorance of Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Moments after Nigeria’s Super Eagles were Friday in Salvador, Brazil,
drawn in Group F of the 2014 World Cup scheduled for Brazil next
summer, Chief Coach Stephen Keshi played down suggestions from
football analysts, both Nigerians and foreigners alike, that they have
an ‘easy draw’, insisting that only adequate preparation will see the
team go far in the competition.
“I am not in the group that feels the Draw was an easy one. That
would be a mistake to make because all the 32 teams in the pot were
worth their places and would be formidable to tackle in the finals.
“There is no way we are going to look at any team and under-rate
that team. They qualified just like we did, and no team would be
coming determined to simply make up the number.”
The former Nigeria captain says it is always a thing of pride to be
counted among the elite.
Stephen Keshi with Mikel Obi
“We are happy to be here. To be among the 32 best teams in the
world is a thing of joy, and our people back home, passionate football
fans all, are excited.
“For me, winning always depends on how well you prepare. Even the
weather that some people are already saying will favour the African
teams against the European teams may not matter much when the
competition starts.
“It is preparation that matters. I remember how, in 1994, we thrashed
Bulgaria 3-0 in our very first match at the World Cup finals, and they
went ahead to reach the semi finals while we lost out in the Round of
16.”
The Delta-born coach also wondered why Nigeria and Argentina keep
being drawn in the same group at the World Cup but was quick to add
that they will see how the their match, the third group match holding
on June 25, 2014 will play out.
“Argentina versus Nigeria is something that is becoming a recurring
decimal. We keep playing against them at every World Cup. It’s good.
We will see how it goes this time,” he said.
Keshi however confessed knowing little about the group’s two other
sides, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.
“Not knowing Bosnia is a difficult thing but they are a good side. I
think I’ve seen them once or twice on television. Iran? I’ve never
seen them. For them to be here means they are a good team,” he
added.
Hundreds of corpses of Boko Haram victims reportedly litter Gwoza Mountain in Borno state
Hundreds of bodies of some of the victims of Boko Haram attacks who fled from Gwoza community in Borno state are reportedly decomposing at the mountains that surround Gwoza community. A source who spoke with Sahara Reporters say most of the victims died due to hunger as they could not get food while they took refuge on the mountains during the period Boko Haram took their community hostage. "Many atrocities were committed by Boko haram insurgents during Boko Haram reign at Gwoza, most of the mountain unburied bodies lying down. Hundreds of corpses are still there. If you go to the these mountains around Gwoza axis you wouldn't be able to eat meats, sand has eaten some the bodies as many bones dry up due to heat" the source said
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