Eagles 2- Iceland 0: Wild jubilations across the world; Buhari, Ekweremadu, others hail; Why we won – Rohr; Why we lost – Iceland Coach
The Super Eagles resurgence with two Ahmed Musa goals in the second half to beat Iceland 2-0 and move from bottom to second place in Group D at Russia 2018 has elicited wild jubilations across the world among Nigerians and supporters of the team.
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, congratulated the team on their victory on Friday over Iceland in their second match at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President expressed delight at the confidence, discipline, team-work and indomitable spirit displayed by the Nigerian players.
He urged them not to limit themselves but sustain the current winning momentum by going all out against their last group opponent, Argentina, next week.
“I am confident that if our players believe in themselves they can qualify out of their difficult group and even go very far in the tournament,” he said.
According to him, with determination on the part of the players, nothing is impossible.
The President, therefore, urged all Nigerians to continue to rally round the Nigerian ambassadors with their prayers and other forms of support.
Nigeria’s coach, Gernot Rohr said his team’s defeat of Iceland was all down to technical transformation and sacrifices by the duo of Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.
Rohr who spoke at the post-match conference also praised his team and coaching staff for working hard to achieve the victory.
“We changed our formation to 3-5-2 and it was good for us. It was a different style in defence.
“Kenneth (Omeruo) is so strong in the air and we needed that to cut off the crosses by Iceland into the box and also the set-pieces.
“The players, as well as all the staff, worked so hard in the past six days or so for us to be ready for Iceland and be able to achieve this.
“Everybody was not happy after that loss to Croatia and we all realised that we must get going to be able to realise our dreams,’’ he said.
The coach added that the team also benefited from the sacrifice made by the duo of Obi and Moses who opted to play as needed and as asked of them.
“Mikel has in the last two years been playing as an offensive midfielder, especially now in China, while Victor has been playing as a forward. But we needed them to play in different roles today.
“We needed to convince them to make the sacrifice for their country, and they accepted. They played so well in these roles and the team and their country benefited.
“It is not easy having to do so, especially when you have to combine defensive duties with offensive duties. But the team is now the better for their sacrifice,’’ he said.
Rohr also praised two-goal hero Ahmed Musa, saying his speed as well as his work rate helped a lot in pushing back Iceland in the second half especially.
“We realised at half-time that we needed to do something to change the game, and that was why we brought in Tyronne Ebuehi to add more offensive force on the left flank.
“Musa now added to it with his speed, and this changed the game for us. By the time we did more of counter-attacks, and with quick passes in the middle we had the game in control,’’ he said.
The coach nonetheless praised Iceland for their game, saying “they gave us a good fight, they were fair and showed good attitude, even after the game’’.
Nigeria will now face Argentina on Tuesday in St Petersburg needing at least a draw to qualify for the Round of 16.
Heimir Hallgrimsson, the coach of Iceland, however, blamed fate for his team’s 0-2 loss to Nigeria in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“My players performed in line with instructions, all the same, the fact that the result was not good does not mean they did not do well.
“I praise them because they played against a very good Nigerian side,’’ he said at the post-match conference at the Volgograd Arena.
The coach, who said he expected the Eagles to play the way they played against them, however agreed that his team’s tactics did not work the way they planned it.
“It is unfortunate that we lost to Nigeria in spite of the way we planned for the game.
“We did our best to prepare for them, especially the three-man defence line. We even prepared in case they played a four-man defensive formation,” he said.
Hallgrimsson however commended Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr for coming out with tactics which neutralised his team’s offensive, especially in the second half.
Hallgrimsson promised that his team would come all out against Croatia on June 26 in spite of Friday’s defeat, hopeful they would win to be in line for qualification.
“We know the Croatians. We have played against them four times and we know how to handle them,” he said.
Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, on Friday in Abuja said that the Eagles manifested the true Nigerian spirit.
He said, however, that the players should not relent, but bring out the best in them in order to book a place in the round of 16.
“I congratulate the Super Eagles on this resounding victory. I am happy that they overcame their demoralising loss to Croatia and a disappointing first half today (Friday) to give Nigerians and Africans something to cheer.
“However, we are obviously not in the round of 16 yet. The Super Eagles should rather see this superlative win as a motivation to fly over a wounded and demystified Argentine team.
“The Super Eagles can do it. They understand the Argentine team, having confronted them in previous World Cup events and also beating them in the friendly ahead of the mundial,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the team.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulated the Super Eagles on its rebound at the Russia 2018 World Cup and victory over its Iceland counterpart in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Friday in Abuja.
Ologbondiyan stated that the 2-0 victory over Iceland showcased the triumph of the Nigerian resilient spirit against all odds.
He noted that “this victory has shown that our nation has the capacity to overcome all our challenges if we apply the right spirit and commitment.
“The PDP commends members of the team and urges them to prepare for the next match with the same Nigerian spirit, which has delivered this victory.’’
The party also urged Nigerians to continue to pray and support the team as Nigeria looks forward to lifting the trophy in the
Russia 2018 World Cup tournament.
Soccer fans in Kaduna who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the victory was well deserved.
Isaiah Benjamin, Chairman, Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Kaduna state chapter, said with the players’ display in the match he was confident that the team would defeat Argentina in their last group match.
” I am impressed with the performance put so far by the eagles. With this they have proven to us that we are going places.
” I believe they will work on their weaknesses and play our next match as a work-over game against Argentina.
He urged the Coach to maintain the squad adding that having Musa for a start in the game was a plus for the team.
Jide Bodunde of Brila FM said the victory was well deserved as they took their chances in the second half and utilised them.
” I am happy they did well in the second half by utilizing their chances and scoring the goals.
” The first half was dominated by the Iceland whose chances of goal scoring was not well used but am happy when the Eagles had the opportunity it came with goals.
” I urge them not to relent in their efforts but work hard for the next match so that we can qualify to the next stage.”
Umaru Idi another soccer fan said the Eagles’ victory is a sign of unity in the country.
” l knew they were going to win this match even though it won’t be easy for them.
” This victory is to show the whole world that Nigeria is united and not divided.”
He urged them to work hard as the country looks forward to a better result against Argentina.
” I hope to see the Eagles beating Argentina again in their next match the way they did in their friendly matches.
” I will also be happy to see them play in the next stage of the tournament to make us proud.”
Another fan Isah Saleh also expressed satisfaction with the performance put in by the Eagles adding that it was a good fight.
” They fought a good fight and it was a well deserved victory.
” I hope to see them maintain this tempo and play to the finals”.
Reacting to the victory, Mr Austin Ajayi, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Adamawa chapter, told NAN in Yola that the Super Eagles played to the expectations of the people.
Ajayi said that the strength displayed had given hope that Nigeria would win Argentina in their final First Round match.
He also commended Coach Gernot Rohr for listening to public comments after the match against Croatia and re-organising his team to record the desired result.
Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Zira, the Chairman, Adamawa United Football Club, said that the victory did not come as a surprise.
Zira said that the team learnt from its mistakes during the previous match, adding that they played with more zeal to win.
According to him, there is hope for the team “to go places’’ if they can sustain this very tempo.
In Enugu, former Super Eagles Coach Christian Chukwu described the victory as “fantastic’’.
Chukwu told NAN that the Super Eagles showed “who we are and what we are really made of as Nigerians — a hard fighting people.
“Moses and Musa are the kings of the game as they displayed mastery today.
“Musa has made our day today and lifted our spirits high,’’ he said.
Chukwu, a former captain of the Super Eagles, urged Nigerians to celebrate the victory.
He, however, cautioned that Nigeria’s match against Argentina was crucial but expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would be victorious.
“I personally believe that the Super Eagles have all it takes to beat the Argentine team.
“For me, the Argentine team is beatable and Super Eagles must beat them.’’
In Calabar, a journalist, Mr David Odey, described the performance as ‘spectacular’, saying that it had rekindled the hope of the team.
He said that the team would go far in the tournament if they replicated the same performance against the Argentina.
“The coach needs to get his acts right by picking the players that will be able to defeat Argentina and progress to the knockout stage of the tournament,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs Janet Okon, a civil servant, congratulated the Super Eagles for the victory.
Okon said that the victory had wiped away the tears of many Nigerians from the previous loss against Croatia.
“It was a wonderful performance. You can see the unity and oneness among Nigerians worldwide.
“I can tell you now that every Nigerian is excited with this defeat against Iceland,” she said.
Also reacting, a student, Mr Paul Abang, predicted that the Super Eagles would beat Argentina if only they improved on their standard of play.
In Uyo, Aniefiok Udonquak, Chairman Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Akwa Ibom, noted that the Super Eagles played with vigour and determination in the second half of the match.
“The confidence exhibited in the second half gave the Super Eagles the deserving victory.
“It would have been very disappointing for the giant of Africa if we had lost the match.’’
He said the Uyo fans hoped that the Super Eagles would continue with the spirit of doggedness in the next match against Argentina on Tuesday.
Also speaking, a football lover and analyst, Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, said that the Super Eagles victory against Iceland would silence critics, who did not expect the boys to score any goal in the tournament.
He urged the Super Eagles to replicate the same zeal and stamina in their subsequent matches.
“I am optimistic that with today’s victory, Nigeria will get to the round of 16 in the 2018 World Cup.
“Nigerians must be optimistic and pray for the success of the team in the next match,” Akpan-Nsoh said.
NAN reports that at the popular “Plaza’’ in Uyo metropolis, fans discussed animatedly the victory while watching the match relayed on a large television screen provided by the Akwa Ibom Government.
In Enugu, fans praised the Super Eagles for trouncing Iceland to brighten the country’s chance to advance to the round of 16.
The fans told NAN after the match that they were full of joy that Eagles canceled the two goals deficit against them.
According to them, Ahmed Musa is the hero of the day for the Super Eagles.
The Secretary to the Enugu State Grassroots Football Coaches Association, Anistar Izuikem, said the Eagles showed that they were ready for Argentina.
Iziuikem, who doubles as a football administrator and coach of FC Star Plus of Ngwo, Enugu, said that the Eagles played the game without feeling the pressure.
“Today’s match was prosecuted with experienced players and they were cautious with the match knowing that only victory can put them in a better position.
“The first 45 minutes ended without a shot on target for Nigeria but after the interval, the Icelanders came out to play the game and Nigeria took the advantage.
“Musa has advantage over all other players in the Nigerian team because Russia has been a home for him and that was what played out in the match,’’ he said.
Enugu State Basketball Coach, Chiedozie Nwoye, said that he thought Nigeria had nothing to offer in the match against Iceland but after Croatia’s thrashing of Argentina, his view changed.
He called on the Eagles to celebrate with reservation as the job has not yet been 100 per cent completed.
A business woman who owns a provision store in Abakpa Nike, said the players showed strength and determination in the game.
“Thank God we won, that means I still have more Nigerian matches to watch in this World Cup and I pray we go far,’’ she said.
A former boxer, Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, also lauded the players for their beautiful display and the zeal they showed throughout the match.
NAN reports that Nigeria will face Argentina on Tuesday, while Iceland battle Croatia on the same day to determine who will qualify to round of 16.
