Super Eagles’ stand-in captain for Saturday’s 3-0 spanking of Seychelles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Ahmed Musa is leading the battle cry of the team for a ticket to the competition next year in Cameroon.
Musa, who opened Nigeria’s scoring with a well struck effort from the edge of the box in the 15th minute of Saturday’s match at Stade Linite, admitted that it was a relief to get maximum points from the away fixture.
His emotions took a leap, considering that Nigeria’s lost their opening tie in the qualifiers 2-0 at home against South Africa in June 2017, such that the Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia attacker is now talking tough ahead of the next game against Libya on October 10th.
Nigeria got their qualifying campaign back on track thanks to first half goals from Musa and Chidozie Awaziem as well as a second half penalty converted by Odion Jude Ighalo.
Leading the charge for the ticket to Cameroon 2019, Musa took to social media to reveal his delight for Nigeria’s victory, which he believes will help them qualify for Cameroon 2019, while also admitting he was elated to get the opening goal.
The former Kano Pillars, VV Venlo of Holland, Leicester City of England and CSKA Moscow of Russia attacker posted on Instagram : ”Great team victory! 3 points to help us qualify for the African Cup of Nations. Happy to get a goal. Up Eagles.”
Leganes of Spain central defender, Kenneth Omeruo tweeted : ”Una too much, unto the next one. #Seychelles 0-3 #Nigeria.”
Brioghton Hove Albion of England defender, Leon Balogun added : ”Job done ✅ on to the next one. #SEYNGA #AFCON2019 #SoarSuperEagles.”
On his part, Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr has urged Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide an ideal venue for the next AFCON 2019 qualifier against Libya.
U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba and Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna are some of the venues being considered by the NFF to host the tie on October 10, but Rohr says the choice has to be one with a good playing pitch to aid victory.
Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, where the Eagles lost their opening game of the AFCON qualifiers against South Africa, hosted Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers but friendlies against DR Congo and Atletico Madrid held at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
After two rounds in Group E of AFCON qualifying, the Eagles are one point behind their next opponents, and Rohr is hoping that the best stadium will finally host the game.
”We are only one point behind and we are hosting so we have to win this game. In these two games against Libya, we have to get at least four points, so we have to win.
”I don’t know where we will play because we need a good pitch, a large pitch where we can play our football against a team which did a good job today in South Africa.
”That’s why we need a good pitch to play our football for our wingers, for our technical football. We need a good pitch, I hope that we will have it in Nigeria,” Rohr submitted.
