Wasteful Eagles back to Abuja, hopeful against Malawi

Super Eagles have returned to Abuja from Calabar after defeating the Brave Warriors of Namibia 1-0 on Sunday in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. After Tuesday morning rest, the players will return to training by the evening for the game against the Flames of Malawi on Saturday in Blantyre.


The team coach, Stephen Keshi, said that they had to return to Abuja to enable them train on artificial pitch.


He said, “The game against Malawi, we learnt will be played on a synthetic pitch and unfortunately we don’t have one in Calabar.”


Even though the Eagles wasted a lot of scoring chances in front of the Namibian goalpost, they are still hopeful of getting a win against the up and coming Southern African side. John Utaka who was one of the attackers on Sunday is upbeat about the next game for the team.


 The Montpellier striker told MTNFootball.com, “We will ensure another victory in Malawi. We will resume training on Tuesday and will take the matches one at a time.”


Warri Wolves defender Azubuike Egwuekwe said the Eagles cannot afford a slip on the road against Malawi.


“We’re blending into a formidable team and so cannot afford not to get a result in Malawi. All the same, we need to work harder to get a positive result in our next game.”


 Uche Kalu of Eyimba added his voice in the dream of victory for the World Cup qualifier.


 “It was great to help out as a substitute for us to win against Namibia. I believe our next game in Malawi will be much better,” he said.


But as much their confidence level is, the Malawi coach is determined to embarrass the Eagles.


“These boys may look small, but they are very intelligent and very fit and no team can play around with them. We have upset Egypt, DR Congo and Guinea at home – so Nigeria can be another victim,” coach Kinnah Phiri said in Nairobi after their game against Kenya.


But in spite of the slim win in Calabar, Nigeria lead their qualifying group on three points, while Malawi and Kenya have recorded a point each after they played out a goalless draw in Nairobi on Saturday.


 Injured players, amongst them, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Obiorah Nwankwo also calculate they should be fit for the visit to Blantyre.