The Super Eagles are seeking the prayers and support of Nigerians as they prepare for the World Cup tournament in Russia.
Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, revealed this on Wednesday during a telephone interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“We just want Nigerians to pray for us, we have worked hard and we want Nigerians to support us with their goodwill,” he said.
According to Ibitoye, the national team is confident of making the nation proud based on its level of preparation.
He added, “This team will make them (Nigerians) proud and everything will be good. I am absolutely sure of that.”
The Eagles media officer made the plea two days after the team departed their base at the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, to Russia for the World Cup tournament – Nigeria’s sixth appearance.
Since emerging from an appropriately – styled ‘Group of Death’ in the African qualifying series,
The Eagles were the first African team to qualify for this year’s World Cup and they have been drawn in Group D with longtime rival, Argentina, as well as Croatia and Serbia.
In the course of their preparation, the team played a series of friendly matches with Argentina, Poland, Serbia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, England and Czech Republic, during which they won two, drew one, and lost three.
Sweet victories over Argentina and Poland were followed by defeat by Serbia, a draw with DR Congo and losses to England and the Czech Republic.
Nigeria’s first match at the World Cup is against Croatia on Saturday, with the Eagles logging a balanced record of having won their opening match at the World Cup on two occasions, drawn once and lost twice.
On the three occasions, the team won their opening matches in 1994, 1998, 2014, and progressed to the Round of 16.
But the outcomes of the England and Czech Republic friendlies have become worrisome for Nigerians and other concerned individuals.
Former Eagles Technical Adviser Jo Bonfrere warned the players to avoid playing for individual glory if they must achieve the desired results at the competition.
Bonfrere, who was a guest on Channels Sports Tonight on Tuesday, also claimed the technical crew was adopting a system the players do not seem to understand.
