By Victor Enyinnaya on November 17, 2016

Super Eagles defender and Turkey-based Kenneth Omeruah has pat all that made the victory over the Desert Foxes of Algeria come true in the last 2018 World Cup qualifier crack in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The AFCON 2013 gold medalist insists that the victory was a collective one resulting from all hands being on deck towards a set target.

“Everyone connected with the execution of the epic qualifier did a thorough job. The spirit was one hence the execution by the players was clinical and precise. It was not a tea party. Eagles knew it from the onset and prepared for the worst. The Nigerians played their style of the game without giving the visitors any space to force their will. It remains one qualifier its memories would linger on. Eagles saw the landmines and worked tenaciously and avoided them. Their danger men were not only frustrated but neutralised. It was Rohr’s deadly master stroke formula that worked wonders in our favour. Yes, their presence were there but in terms of output, they could not do much to cause any havoc,” he explains.

Omeruo remarked that despite the fact the Foxes came out forcefully from their shell in the second half, the astuteness of the homers helped to curtail them from causing any further damage after their first goal. The Eagles soaked away their pressure calmly and fought back gallantly hence the coming of the third goal which put it beyond the Greens that bowed to the intensity of heat from Victor Moses led attackers as Ahmed Musa stepped up the pressure.

“The victory over the Algerians was not a fluke. The goals came as a result of planning and summary execution. Eagles played to instructive recovering quickly any moment the adventurous Foxes came on offensive. Our attackers tormented them to submission. They saw a more resilient Nigerian side that had 'never say die spirit.' Our hard work, near cohesion, focus, dedication and determination helped to see us through. The players rejoiced and will continue to improve on their efforts to ensure victory would be ours at the end of the qualification series. The group is still wide open. The players are quite aware of that and would not leave anything to chance.”

The Chelsea player said the game was high tensioned due to the pedigree of both countries and fans were never disappointed seeing great dose of superior fireworks from the Grade A encounter. He observed that both sides had respect for each other which was why the clash started on very cautious note each team studying one another before launching attack for the day.

“While the Algerians stocked their rear, the Eagles began on slow note to test the waters before Victor Moses early warning that missed target. The game leaved up to its rating by bookmakers, pundits, commentators and the fans. It showed traditional African teams were on parade for supremacy.”

Omeruo emphatically said the Eagles have put that behind and are now focusing strictly on another make or break tie against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun in August 28, 2017. That will be another football showpiece between the two titians. He revealed that with the high spirit among the key stakeholders shouldered with the responsibility for the qualification for Russia 2018 World Cup summit, the tide would continue to be high until the sole group B ticket is secured, he informs.

“The atmosphere that prevails in the team now remains second to none. There is enough room to think and meditate on the game at hand. No acrimony among the players or the technical crew. Discipline is at its optimum. It portends steady growth for the young team that is still evolving. We pray to continue to build on it and get stronger and coordinated that will lead to remaining focus. Every player is eager to put in his best. He alloyed fears on his injury scare insisting that he is fit even if the next Eagles match is tomorrow. Within us it will never get into our heads as the road to Russia is still long to travel,” he stressed.

The former U-17 player thumbed up the NFF for wonderful organisation of last Saturday’s game and the cordial relationship that exists between it, the players, the technical crew and sundry urging for greater sustenance. He envisaged the road for the qualification for Russia World Cup would be rougher, tougher and concentrated in the second stanza believing that the Eagles would be more cohesive and ever ready to take on its opponents head-on. “We are equal to the tedious task ahead. No treat no surrender,” Omeruo declares.

•Photo shows Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruah.

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 17, 2016

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