Eagles will qualify, Mikel assures

Super  Eagles star John Mikel Obi has assured the nation that Nigeria would definitely qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.


Mikel gave the assurance yesterday during an interaction with sports writers at the Abuja National Stadium where the National team  assembled for training ahead of the Nation’s Cup cracker between the Super Eagles and Beara of Madagascar slated for next Sunday in Antananarivo.


Mikel also thanked the Government and people of  Nigeria  for  the massive support he received from the nation after his father was kidnapped by some hoodlums in Jos early this month.
He further stated that the tremendous show of support given to him by the nation motivated him to report early to camp for the tie against Madagascar.

Said he: “Sometimes it is in situations like this that you really get to know that the people  love you. I appreciate this show of love from Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles yesterday evening engaged in a light training at the stadium under the watchful eyes of Coach Samson Siasia.

There were 17 players at yesterday’s training session. Among the players who participated in the work-out were  Yusuf Ayinla, Brown Ideye and Dele Adeleye. Other s were Nosa Igiebor, Ahmed Musa, Solomon Okoronkwo, Peter Utaka, Victor  Anichebe, Chinedu Obasi, Obinna Nsofor, Chibuzor Okoronkwo, Fegor Ogude, Dele Aiyenugba , Chigozie Agbim and Joel Obi.

The team’s  number one goal-keeper Vincent Enyeama was still being expected later in the evening.
It was  also learnt that Gege Soriola who plays professional football in South Africa would join the team in Antananarivo since Madagascar is close to his base.

The team is scheduled to travel to Madagascar today  with an Air Nigeria  chartered flight.
The Super Eagles with  seven points so far in their group face a tough challenge on Sunday as they need outright win with a comfortable goals difference to displace Guinea which currently top the group with 10 points. This is because  Guinea are favoured to win in their next home  tie with lowly rated  Ethiopia.