NAN reports
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has commended the Super Eagles for defeating Iceland in the ongoing World Cup competition in Russia.
Dogara commended the players in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja after the Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Iceland in their second group stage match.
He said that the victory of the national team had put smiles once more on the faces of Nigerians after a disappointing outing against Croatia.
While urging the players to maintain the fire displayed in the second half of the match, the Speaker assured the team of the support of Nigerians across the globe.
He charged the team to put up a superlative performance against Argentina and qualify for the second round of the competition.
“Nigerians were expectant and did not give up on you after the initial disappointment against Croatia and you delivered.
“I urge you to now prove why you are called the Super Eagles in your next game against Argentina and do us proud,” he said.
Habu Gumel, President of Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC), also congratulated the Super Eagles for their 2-0 victory over Iceland in a Group D World Cup match.
Gumel told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an exclusive interview at Volgograd Airport on Friday.
NAN reports that Nigeria’s right winger, Ahmed Musa, who emerged as the Man of The Match scored in the 49th and 75th minutes of the game to return Nigeria into contention for a second round ticket.
‘’I want to congratulate the Super Eagles for their gallantry against the hard fighting Iceland . I want to also congratulate Nigerians for the victory.
’The way and manner the Super Eagles shrugged of the first half pressure from the opponents to go ahead and win the match has showed the Nigerian spirit in them.
‘’I want to thank the players and the coaching crew led by Garnet Rohr for not letting Nigerians down by winning the match.
‘’This has elicited their fighting spirit and their level of patriotism and I want to congratulate them once again,’’ Gumel said.
The NOC boss , however, charged the team not to rest on their oars until they beat Argentina in the last group D match on Tuesday to be able to book a second round ticket.
‘’I am urging the Nigerian side to put aside today’s celebration and be focused on the match against Argentina so that they could remain in contention,’’ he said.
He called on Nigerians, home and abroad to keep on supporting the team so that they will be encouraged to continue to do the nation proud in the competition.
A former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, attributed the 2-0 victory Nigeria recorded against Iceland to players’ determination and effective tactical calls by the team’s coach.
Elegbeleye made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday shortly after the second round Group D match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the much-hyped Iceland national team.
Elegbeleye, a member of the 2011 Ministerial Committee on Reform of Football Administration in Nigeria, believes that the Eagles understood what was at stake.
“We were expecting a victory. If we didn’t win that will have been a very bad result for us. A loss will have meant we were out but now we are hopeful of advancing.
“We are going to beat them because the boys appear to be ready to win matches, unlike our performance in the first match against Croatia,” the former House of Representatives member said.
Coach Gernot Rohr, criticised for his starting line-up and position play in the match against Croatia, made some selection and positional changes to the team against Iceland.
Forwards Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho started in attack, while Kenneth Omeruo was brought in to form a central defensive trio along with Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong.
Also, Captain Mikel Obi was given a deeper role and both Victor Moses and Bryan Idowu operated as wing-backs.
Elegbeleye said those changes and the determination of the players to deliver, clearly made the difference for Nigeria.
“The determination to win made the difference. The boys knew the effect of failure at this level. The introduction of new players into the starting 11 also worked.
“Pairing Musa and Iheanacho was more productive than playing Odion Ighalo as a lone striker. Musa was hungry and had the predatory instinct.
“Ebuehi was also a good option because he offered more, offensively. The coach also made some tactical switches on the pitch.
“Mikel Obi played deeper and Etebo played further forward.
“Using those players in their rightful positions and tweaking the starting 11 added to the success. Don’t forget that Kenneth Omeruo also proved himself,” he stated.
The final round of matches in Group D would be played on Tuesday, June 26, with Nigeria taking on perennial foes Argentina while Iceland will slog it out with group leaders Croatia.
Elegbeleye however expressed optimism that Nigeria would put up a similar display against Argentina to book a place in the round of 16.
“I am certain our match against Argentina will go the exactly like the one against Iceland. We have to win against Argentina and we will win.
“Failure will mean an opportunity for either Iceland or Argentina to progress and we will not allow that to happen. I can assure you that Nigeria will defeat Argentina.
“Yes, they have individual talents but they are now playing as a team at the moment,” the former member, Ethics and Fair Play Committee of the Nigeria Football Association concluded.
Godfrey Gaiya, former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, on Friday also applauded the feat of the Super Eagles.
Gaiya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the team had revived Nigeria’s hope for the World Cup.
According to him, “congratulations to all Nigerians, I am very happy because ab initio, I never thought the team can win any match.
“Having watched their first match, I thought we don’t have a team that can match the Iceland team man to man.
“But I thank God for the spirit of the average Nigerian, the must do spirit has shown itself to be true.
“If Nigerian are determined and very serious, they can turn around things. These Eagles have turned around things that I thought will never happen.
“So, I am so proud as a Nigerian, I identify with the team and I support them solidly,” he said.
Gaiya urged the team to remain focused as they prepare for the next match against Argentina on Tuesday.
Alhassan Yakmut, former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission, told NAN that the team was ready now for the World Cup.
Yakmut said that the victory had shown that Nigeria had the capacity to overcome all challenges if the right spirit was applied.
.He said that the match between Nigeria and Croatia was not spectacular but the luckier side won because their attack had more bite than that of the Eagles.
“The Eagles that played today had the bite that was missing in the match against Croatia because their managers mismanaged the reserve bench.
“Today, the pairing was good and all the players were in good formation which brought the victory,” he said.
NAN reports that the result means all three teams in the group remain in contention to move to the next round with Croatia.
Soccer enthusiasts in Owerri have re-awakened their confidence in the Super Eagles after their 2-0 victory over Iceland on Friday.
The superlative outing of the players left football lovers in Owerri jubilating.
Some fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the team had placed laughter on their faces.
They said the Eagles visibly improved on their level of commitment and display against the Icelandic opponents.
Ndukaku Dike, a trader said: “They have done us and the country proud’’.
Dike said that the team had shut the mouths of bitter critics with the victory, adding that they could now approach the next game against Argentina with so much confidence.
On his part, Uchendu Nwokolo, a student, said Ahmed Musa’s brace was “spectacular’’ and could contest for the best goal of the tournament.
According to him, the victory has opened doors to many possibilities.
Nwokolo however, advised Gernot Rohr to stick with the tactics with minimal changes, adding that the team had found its rhythm.
“Rohr managed to blend the players well today with intensive positional play characteristic of the tiki-taka Spanish pattern. If he can replicate this again and again, then we will be good to go’’, he said.
Chukwu Odilim, another trader said: “The Eagles gave, not only Nigeria but the Africa the best gift today with that victory’’.
Eugenia Obong, a business woman, said it was nice to see how the team restored our confidence in them.
According to her, the victory covers for the loss against Croatia.
“I love football a lot, I love my Super Eagles even more, but they made me also forsake the World Cup after their first match,’’ she said.
The Ex-Internationals on Friday joined other ecstatic Nigerians to congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their deserved 2-0 win over Iceland in the battle of Volgograd in the ongoing Russia 2018 World Cup.
Congratulating the Eagles, ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju, a.k.a. Headmaster, said that he was very happy over the win, but warned the Gernot Rohr-tutored team over the match against Argentina who might fight like a wounded lion.
“It was a good win that makes everyone happy and the change of formation really worked well, which tallies with what the players are familiar with.
“However, it is going to be difficult against Argentina, but it is possible only that we should have it at the back of our mind that Argentina’s game will be different from Iceland.
“’Argentina will approach the game like a wounded lion because they lost scandalously to Croatia and they won’t want a repeat of that which will send them out in the group stage.
“Losing two matches in a row will be a thing the Argentines won’t want, so we have to be determined to beat them, ” he said.
For another ex-international, Bright Omokaro, victory over Iceland was sweet, but the Eagles cannot afford to let their guards down against Argentina.
“The victory is sweet and a good way to bring us hope of qualification which has reduced tension.
“In as much às we have had the victory over Iceland, great caution should be applied against a more battle-ready Argentina.
“The Eagles should not think that beating Argentina in the friendly match or Iceland is a yardstick because they are different now.
“They can only win if they apply same commitment, dedication and approach against Iceland to beat Argentina, and if they play that way, they are on the way to qualification to the knockout stage,” he said.
Former goalkeeper, David Ngodia (Ngo), said he had never doubted the capabilities of the Super Eagles, adding that they could defeat Argentina with same mentality.
“I say congratulations to the Eagles over their well deserved victory, I never doubt their capabilities and today, they really played the way we want them to.
“We are all happy because they have given us a hope of qualification to the next stage. I am not afraid of Argentina team because they are so poor this time around.
“However, the form of our next opponents should also be a concern so that we should not underrate them, the team losing by 0-3 to Croatia is nothing because same team beat us too.
“The Eagles should have it at the back of their minds that we have had our own poor run against Croatia too, so the best we should do is to aim high against Argentina, no room for complacency,” he said.
For Abuja soccer fans, the weekend began on a fascinating note as they celebrated Super Eagles 2-0 victory over Iceland at the ongoing 2018 Russia World Cup .
The fans, who left their workplaces early, arrived at “the Wembley Soccer Palace’, a viewing centre in Zuba as early as 3.30 p.m. to obtain strategic positions ahead of the game.
With Ahmed Musa scoring a brace, the fans told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the weekend had begun and that they did not plan to go home early.
Alphonsus Azubuike who owns a motor spare parts shop said “for the first time, I am concerned about Nigeria’s progress at a World Cup and have to leave my shop to be at the viewing centre early.
“The first half was very disappointing and I felt angry that I had come here but Musa has given me all the joy I need now.
“We have to celebrate with the team, so I am not going home yet. We need to rejoice with a few bottles of beer and I have called my wife to meet me here, so we can relax.
“It is a good day for all of us and I am very happy,” he said.
For 26-year-old Johnson Ibrahim, a food vendor, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho deserves some accolades.
“The goalkeeper is improving with each game and I am happy with his level of confidence.
“This is a lot better than the team’s first outing against Croatia and we hope it gets better,” he said.
Ibrahim, who patronises sports betting companies, said the weekend would be fun because he is close to making money.
“I did multiple bets and one of them is a win for Nigeria, if the others turn out successful I would be making about N10,000 and it will be an awesome weekend,” Ibrahim added.
Aina Ade who is a school teacher, lauded coach Gernot Rohr for starting Musa, while describing the player as a hero.
“Thank God Rohr listened to the call of fans and started Musa. He is a hero and is making a huge impact in the national team.
” The team still needs to work on set pieces,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ade, who was in company of friends, said he owes his friends bottles of drinks for predicting a loss for the Nigerian team.
Nigeria has three points behind Croatia with six in Group D while Argentina and Iceland share a point each.
Harrison Okagbue, a former Ugandan National Coach, in his reaction, lauded the performance of the Super Eagles, saying they kept hope alive by defeating Iceland in the ongoing 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Okagbue, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the Eagles played a better game with their opponents and kept hope alive with keen interest of not allowing any goal.
“The team proved their worth today and played a better game unlike in their opening match where they did not show that they were capable of winning any match.
“There is nothing wrong with their game today; the most important thing is that they kept hope alive.
“The first half came very slow and carefully so as not to conceive any goal with no shot on target and it was worrisome.
“But at the second half, they woke up and played a better game, coming all out to score goals.
The former coach said that if the team wants to excel more in the competition they should not relent in playing as a team.
“Playing together is the only way a team can win a game; there is a huge difference between the first game we played and the second.
“Also they should learn to keep the ball within them and not to lose the ball often by so doing, it will give them a sense of direction to aim for goals,’’ he said.
Nigeria needs a draw against a desperate Argentina to go through to the next round in the last group match on Tuesday, June 26, and Argentina and Iceland also know they have to win to have any chance of progressing.
