Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye has affirmed that the players are all determined to get an way win against South Africa, hence their resolve to go all out for victory in Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.
Though the Eagles lost the first leg 2-0 at home in Uyo, Ibitoye said Monday morning during a radio sports programme monitored by footballlive.ng that the players want to make up for that setback by getting maximum points in the reverse fixture.
Ibitoye admitted that the team will miss their inspirational skipper, John Mikel Obi and top scorer, Odion Jude Ighalo, as well as the retired Victor Moses, but the ace broadcaster added it accords other players chances to also make their marks with the squad.
He stressed that the team will hit the ground running from Tuesday, when full training is expected to begin in the morning, by which time all the 23 invited players should have arrived in camp.
While hinting that closed training for the team will hold Thursday morning, before they fly to Johannesburg aboard a chartered flight at 5pm same day, Ibitoye said the players will make the best of their stay in the Delta State capital, as they will return to play Uganda next Tuesday.
Ibitoye declared: “We are going to be in Asaba for a long while, so we have to get used to the environment.
“Remember, the team will also play Uganda in a friendly match in Asaba on November 20, which is three days after we play away to South Africa.
“For now, our focus is fully on the match against South Africa, which the coach has described as a must-win for the team, and I am sure we will get the desired result.
“We will go all out for victory in Johannesburg, and get an early ticket to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
“It’s true we will miss our captain, Mikel Obi, as well as Odion Ighalo, who is injured, and Victor Moses, who has retired; but this will afford other players in their positions their chances to make impact as well.”
