Don’t write these Eagles off —Ideye
Don’t write these Eagles off —Ideye
Dynamo Kyiv striker, Brown Ideye has urged Nigerians to rally round the Super Eagles when they take on their opponents in the 2013 Nations Cup which starts on January 19 in South Africa.
Ideye banged 13 goals in 17 games to remain the second highest goal scorer in the Ukrainian League championship, five goals behind Shakhtar Donetsk’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The talented striker was part of the 32-man provisional list, but the former Ocean Boys of Bayelsa ace is confident of contributing his quota if he makes the final team to the tournament.
“Nobody should write us off,” warned Ideye.
“We are not favourite but we can be a shocker, we are going South Africa with full concentration and commitment mindset.”
“We have a lot to prove to our fans home and away, and that is why we should not be written off.”
Ideye further spoke on the Super Eagles opponents, stressing that every country will be treated equally irrespective of their qualities.
“We don’t need to underrate anybody; we have seen in the past that there are no smaller teams in Africa continent again. We will treat everybody equally.
“Of course I will contribute my quota, I will give my best for the team even in the friendly games to ensure I make the final squad.”
Mikel confirms Jan 5 arrival date
Mikel Obi has told MTNFootball.com he will report at the Nigeria training camp in Faro, Portugal, for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on January 5.
The Chelsea midfielder also played down a knock on his knee in an English Premier League game against Norwich City, saying he is fully fit even though he was not listed for Sunday’s clash at Everton.
Mikel told MTNFootball.com that he will leave for Faro, Portugal, along with club mate Victor Moses immediately after an FA Cup game against Southampton.
“I have two more games to play for Chelsea before I will resume at the Nations Cup training camp in Faro, that would be the league game against QPR and the FA Cup against Southampton on January 5. I will leave for the camp immediately after the game together with Victor Moses,” he said.
Mikel is poised for his fourth AFCON after he made his debut at the 2006 tournament in Egypt.
Chelsea boss, Rafael Benitez had wanted to have his Nigeria stars till at least January 9 for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea City.
I’m happy to be back —Reuben
Gabriel Reuben has said he hopes to make his Eagles comeback after a long injury layoff on Wednesday in an AFCON warm-up against Catalonia.
The highly-rated defensive midfielder last featured for the Eagles in June, but he has had to battle a long-term groin injury to now get back into top reckoning with the Eagles.
In a special interview with MTNFootball.com, the Kano Pillars star also rated high his chances of making the final squad to South Africa.
No Eagles recall for Martins
Spain-based striker Obafemi Martins will not get a late recall to the Eagles contrary to speculations in the media.
“(Coach) Stephen Keshi has made it clear that he will not call up any new player as he has enough players to choose from for the Nations Cup,” disclosed Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya from the team’s training camp in Faro in Portugal.
Levante striker Martins was one of the top stars left out by Nigeria for a training camp in Portugal ahead of the forthcoming Nations Cup in South Africa.
England-based defender Danny Shittu has opted out of the squad and there are still doubts over the availability of Newcastle United Shola Ameobi.
“There is no word from Ameobi yet on whether he will be part of our Nations Cup preparations.
“Keshi said he cannot force the player to play for the country and so he is still waiting to hear from Ameobi on his position and then we will take it from there,” said Alaiya.
There are now a total of 20 players in Faro – nine overseas-based pros and 11 from the Nigeria Premier League.
Turkey-based striker Uche Kalu was the last arrival.
US-based striker Bright Dike has been terrific in training as battle for places at the AFCON have stepped up a gear, according to officials.
The Eagles will fly out to Spain today for a friendly against Catalonia the following day with either Chigozie Agbim or Daniel Akpeyi started in goal as none of the team’s foreign-based goalkeepers are in Portugal.