Nigeriav Mal: Eagles promise victory

Super Eagles have promised to pick up the full points against the Flames of Malawi when they meet on Saturday. The team stand-in captain, Vincent Enyeama, who spoke on behalf of his teammates on Wednesday, said that the stake was too high to be toyed with.

He said, “The camp is amazing and I thank God for that. The first training we had here was great with 12 players and I am optimistic that come Saturday we will win. Almost everybody is in camp now.”

And in a reference to the initial controversy raised by Malawi over the security situation in Calabar, the goalkeeper said that Nigerians should ignore such statements as everyone who truly knows the country could vouch for the city as one of the safest places to be in the world.

He added, “Calabar is one of the most secured places in Nigeria. I do not really know where they got the information that Calabar is not secure. Calabar is also quiet. But I want the Flames to come out and play their game, have fun and be happy.

“We are professionals we know what is at stake and what is expected of us. We are not under any pressure, we are going out there to wear the colours of Nigeria which we are also proud of,” he said.

On the competition for the goalkeeping spot, Enyeama said the zeal to be fielded has been quite positive as it has continued to help bring the best out of the three top goalkeepers. Austin Ejide ,who was on duty in the country’s last match against South Africa last month, and Chigozie Agbim are the other two goalkeepers in the team.

He said, “All of us are good and I must say I am not in competition with any of them neither are they with me. Nigeria is blessed with great talents and it’s always good when you are called up to play.”

Coach Stephen Keshi said the team was not under any pressure to beat Malawi. He said that the team and the coaching crew believed in hard work to get the maximum points.

He said, “I have always believed in hard work. I do not believe in anything that is do-or-die. I am not under any pressure. We are only going to give our best on Saturday.”

The heavy rains of Wednesday in Calabar prevented the team from training. The Super Eagles need just a draw in the final Group F qualifier for Brazil 2014 World Cup.