Former Green Eagles’ Goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala has expressed confidence the Super Eagles will emerge the surprise team at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The ex-international, popularly called ‘Man Mountain’ in his playing days for Rangers International of Enugu and the National team, said with their present form, the Eagles’ players are good enough to spring surprises at the global soccer carnival.
Okala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that: “With the present crop of players, the future looks bright for the Super Eagles, even at the 2018 FIFA World Cup proper.’’
The former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer also commended the team for its great teamwork and fighting spirit, noting that with the needed “fighting spirit in the present Super Eagles, they will stop at nothing, except success. The way they played against Zambia showed that uncommon commitment to make the country proud.”
According to him, “Saturday’s match against the Chipolopolo of Zambia was the most difficult in the series of matches played by the Super Eagles so far in the World Cup qualification.
“However, looking at the match critically, one can see a determined Super Eagles who held their visitors down until a victory goal came in the 74th minute.’’
The 66 year-old ex-safe hands said it is important to retain all the players in the current squad, adding that; “At this stage, consistency matters. The team should be kept together, and activities and programmes which allow for more bonding should be put in place.”
With the Saturday’s match result, Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup tagged “Russia 2018’’ slated for June 14 to July 15 in Russia.
