Saraki, others to watch Super Eagles battle Iceland in Volgograd

By Olanrewaju Akojede on June 22, 2018

Some top Nigerian leaders and politicians are to watch the Super Eagles Group D second match against the Strakkamir Okkarr (Our Boys) of Iceland in the ongoing World Cup in Russia.

It has been established, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that Nigeria’s number three man, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, will attend the big match.

“Also, certain to be on ground to support the three-time African champions at the 45,000-capacity Volgograd Arena are the Ambassador of Nigeria to the Russian Federation, His Excellency Prof. Steve Ugbah.

“The Permanent Secretary in the Youth and Sports Ministry, Olusade Adesola, Nigeria’s IOC Member Habu Gumel and a full complement of the NFF Executive Committee led by the President, Amaju Pinnick.

“There will also be distinguished Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, Members of the NFF Congress, Directors in the Ministry,” the NFF said in a statement by its Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire.

“NFF Management and Staff, football stakeholders including former presidents and secretaries-general of the NFF, and a large number of members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and Nigerians resident in Russia,” it said.

“Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad and which is 940 kilometres to the south of Moscow, extends alongside the Volga River and has a population of one million people.

“The unforgettable ‘Battle of Stalingrad’ was a turning point during the Second World War, with about two million persons said to have been killed and German expansionist mission decisively aborted.

“Victory on Friday will be a turning point in Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles on Thursday arrived the southern Russia town of Volgograd ahead of Friday’s win-or-bust FIFA World Cup Group D encounter against Iceland.

The Brazil 2014 Round of 16 berthers flew from their Essentuki base on Thursday morning and were settled in their Hampton-by-Hilton Volgograd Hotel abode a little after 1 p.m.

The NFF said the team would now concentrate on the next make or mar match against Iceland.

“The focus has been on the encounter with the Euro 2016 quarter-finalists since the loss to Croatia in Kaliningrad on June 16.

“The victory against the feisty Scandinavians will renew hope for a place in the knockout rounds, while defeat will mean early and unflattering elimination from the quadrennial showpiece.

“Coach Gernot Rohr told the media in Essentuki on Wednesday that he had been drawn to a plethora of suggestions in the media space on best formations, patterns and appropriate player-position-cum-strength postulations.

“This following the reverse against Croatia, but that he knows what is best for the team and will deploy same on Friday.

“We have watched the game against Croatia again to see our mistakes so that we can correct them. It will be a tough game. We have to be at our best and be more professional with our defending, especially from set-pieces.

“We have to be fully focused and not lose concentration all through the game. I believe with hard work we can get a good result. In truth, there is no need to add to the pressure we have now.

“More pressure on the team will not necessarily translate to better results,” Rohr said.

It added that “Captain Mikel Obi, widely analysed not to have functioned effectively in the advanced midfield role against the Croats, said he would be ready to feature in any position for the team as determined by the coach.

“I am ready to play in any position the coach wants me to play. I am comfortable with either role: offensive or defensive. The most important thing is the team.

Friday’s win-or-bust situation is expected to bring the best out of this new generation, with victory guaranteed to be a statement of strong mentality and capacity for turning around adversity.

“It will do career progression and equity at national team and club levels no harm.

“All players in camp are fully fit, meaning Coach Rohr is presented with an opportunity to pick among all 23 players.

“This will cobble together the combination and formation that he believes will best guarantee victory,” it said. (NAN)

•Photo shows Senate President Bukola Saraki (M) acknowledging cheers during a Super Eagles match

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 22, 2018


 

You may also like...
Retired Top Ref Clattenburg Was Right; Everton’s Cancelled...

Masters 2017: Sergio Garcia pips Justin Rose to...

Barcelona Won’t Risk Messi Against Bilbao — Valverde...

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich 'considering selling club' with...

2020 Tokyo Olympics: Team Nigeria Departs For Japan...

"He's the best in the world" - Berlin...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,396 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,404 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,546 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,221 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,004 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,883 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,769 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,227 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,273 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,184 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,636 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,212 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media