While speaking in an exclusive
interview, Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, who is making a return to the
squad, stated that victory against Cameroon in Uyo on Friday, would go a long
way in the team’s qualification for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in
Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital will on Friday, host a football match between the
Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions, and the Eagles will also travel to
Yaounde for the reverse fixture on Monday.
Mikel, who admitted that they had
a tough game against the African champions, expressed optimism that they would
soar above the Lions on match day. “These three points will go a long way in
our qualifying campaign. We have got a very good team. We have got a very young team with a lot of
quality.
“We are on top of the table on
six points and we want to win. Cameroon also wants to win, so it’s really going
to be a do-or-die affair. We are looking forward to the game and we want to
make sure we qualify and hopefully, we will do that. We need to make sure we
qualify first. There is a big task ahead of us”
Meanwhile, Chelsea star Victor
Moses alongside Leon Balogun, Moses Simon, Uche Agbo and Hapoel Be’er Sheva duo
John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme arrived the camp of the Super Eagles in Uyo on
Tuesday, ahead of the crucial tie.
The six players joined Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi,
Oghenekaro Etebo, Kelechi Iheanacho, William Troost-Ekong, Ahmed Musa, Chidozie
Awaziem, Ola Aina, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Mikel Agu, Odion Ighalo,
Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu, Elderson Echiejile and Tyronne Ebuehi, who
arrived Uyo on Monday.
Only Cyprus-based Abdullahi Shehu and CSKA
Moscow striker, Aaron Samuel, a late replacement for injured Arsenal forward
Alex Iwobi, were still expected at the Ibom Meridien Hotel as at the time of
writing this report. The Eagles are leaders in Group B of the African
qualifiers after amassing maximum six points from their first two games while
second-place Lions have two points.
