By Albert Akota & Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Football fans in the country have hailed Super Eagles Saturdays 1-0 victory over debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brasil.
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated the Super Eagles on their hard-won victory over the Dragons of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Uche Anichukwu, his Special Adviser (Media) in Abuja on Sunday.
Ekweremadu noted that it was a night that the Nigerian side found their rhythm to the delight of all football loving fans.
“This is a very important victory after 16 years of drought at the FIFA World Cup and after the hard start against the Iranians,’’Ekeremadu said.
He described the victory as highly deserving and noted that the team was a much more hard-fighting, confident, brilliant, mobile, blended, and entertaining Super Eagles.
The depute senate president expressed the hope that the victory would give the team the needed confidence and elixir to bring down the Argentines from their high horse.
Ekweremadu was optimistic that the Argentines were beatable, their array of stars notwithstanding.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to support and pray for the Super Eagles.
The Director of Competitions, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi, advised the team to be more purposeful in front of goal.
Sanusi said yesterday that the African champions created chances which they did not utilise.
“The win is a dream comes true because one cannot underrate any country because in football, it is not over until it is over.
“We all saw what Iran did to Nigeria and also to Argentina, and this is a country that many people believe are just in that group to give others points but that was not to be.
“Right now, I believe the coaches have watched very keenly and noticed areas where they need to work on.
“But one thing I notice about the defence is that the Bosnia-Herzegovina wanted to commit our players into fouling inside or close to the 18 yard box which they did not submit to, so I must commend them for that.
“Upfront, we need to be more purposeful and take our chances because when you lose your chance you are likely to put yourself at risk.
“We had opportunities that we did not make use of, so we need to be taking our chances,’’ Sanusi said.
He also noted that the connection between the attack and the midfield should be improved upon before the team’s next match against Argentina.
“The connection between the midfield and the attack need to be improved upon. The midfielders have done a good job; they need to cement that relationship between the attack and the midfield.
“So that by the time we play Argentina, we can beat them and probably top our group,’’ the Director of Competitions, said.
Sanusi was optimistic that that in spite of the Super Eagles’ poor start they would win the trophy.
He also commended Coach Stephen Keshi for his selection for the match, saying it was better than the first one.
He, however, said that Victor Moses should have replaced Onazi Ogenyi in the match.
“I don’t see what Onazi has done there; the guy was just running about; he should use key players who are very resourceful and can do anything, anywhere at any time.
“The combination of Moses and Osaze will help this team to go places,’’ the Pepsi Football Academy boss, said.
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