By Thompson ABISOLA
Football stakeholders in Minna on Tuesday went spiritual as they prayed to enable the Super Eagles to defeat Strakkamir Okkar of Iceland on June 22.
TBI Africa reports that fans are worried about the current status of the national team in Group D in which they have zero points.
Chairman Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, Alhaji Mustapha Gawu, prayed for the Super Eagles to defeat Iceland to enable Nigeria stay in Russia.
“My fear is that Iceland team is a much more organised side, but all the same, I pray for the Super Eagles to win the game to enable us stay in the World Cup,’’ he said.
Gawu decried the pattern of play that made Nigeria to lose its first match against Croatia on June 16, adding that the defence needed to be improved on.
“I was not happy the way the Super Eagles played; our performances in friendly matches before the World Cup were poor which must have translated to what we are seeing now.
“The Super Eagles Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr started well but is like he is confused now because he is fielding some players in positions that they are not used to.”
He, therefore, appealed to the authorities not to interfere with the coaching crew of the Super Eagles to enable stakeholders to know where the problem was coming from in order to address it.
Similarly, Mr Hassan Abubakar, Chairman, Niger Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), also prayed for the national team to win, and predicted victory against Iceland.
“I am sure that Nigeria will beat Iceland by 2-1 because I feel that the coaches must have done their homework after our 2-0 defeat in the first game.
“It is a must win match, both players and coaches must work hard or the Super Eagles will start packing their bags to come home,” he said.
Aliko Mustapha, Captain of Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna, who also prayed for the Super Eagles to win their game against Iceland, said that: “Nigeria will get the three points by God’s grace.’’
Mustapha added that Nigeria had the youngest and most talented squad of players at the tournament, adding that the technical crew should plan well and return the team to winning ways.
TBI Africa reports that the Super Eagles were defeated 2-0 in a match that millions of soccer loving Nigerians had expected the team to gain the upper hand against the Vatreni.
The two goals the team conceded came through an own goal by Oghenekaro Etebo and a Luka Modric penalty kick after Troost Ekong had fouled Mario Manduzic during a goalmouth scramble.
Rohr has, however, assured during a post-match interview that he and his assistants would strive to work on the lapses in the team before their June 22 showdown with Strakkamir Okkar in Volgograd.
