Maigari: Eagles will qualify for 2013 Cup of Nations On March 2, 2012 · In Sports 8:08 am

Maigari: Eagles will qualify for 2013 Cup of Nations

On March 2, 2012 · In Sports

8:08 am

Tweet President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has assured Nigerians that the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, will qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations to be staged in South Africa.
Maigari spoke in Abuja as the Nigeria delegation to Wednesday’s qualifying match against Rwanda returned to Nigeria in the early hours of Thursday, and against the backdrop of the 0-0 result against the Amavubi Stars in Kigali.


“We planned for a win in Rwanda but got a scoreless draw. While we would have preferred to win, there is no need crying over spilt milk. The onus is now on us to prepare hard to win the return leg in Nigeria, and reach the final qualifying round.
“I am assuring ball fans and indeed other Nigerians that the NFF will put in place all machinery to ensure the Super Eagles not only beat Rwanda here, but also win the final qualifying fixture in Saptember/October. We must be at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa”, said the NFF supremo.
On the applause that home-based players who featured against Rwanda have received from Nigerians and fans elsewhere, Maigari said: “It is a confirmation that the NFF and Coach Stephen Keshi have embarked on the right path forward. The home boys have been in residential camping for some months now and have had a couple of matches to expose them and give them confidence.
“The NFF will ensure that the camping programme of the home boys is sustained, and double efforts to get more friendly matches for them, such as the international friendly on 23rd May against Peru in Lima, so that they can always take responsibility even against the top teams of the world when the need arises.
“The truth must be told: The home boys and the Europe-based players gave their all during the match and they deserve to be commended”.
Nigeria will host Rwanda in the return leg match in Nigeria on June 17. But before then, the Eagles take on Namibia and Malawi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on June 3 and June 10 respectively.
The Eagles host Namibia’s Brave Warriors in Nigeria on June 3 before flying to Blantyre to play the Flames of Malawi on June 10.