It’s total war
against Tunisia – Eguavoen
By Ben Memuletiwon, in Port Said, Egypt
Thursday,
February 2, 2006
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•Obagol,
heading for goal
Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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Three matches. Three victories. This eloquent performance
was enough to propel the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the summit
of Group D at the ongoing 25th African Cup of Nations.
Since the start of the tournament in January 20, the Eagles
have remained invincible; 1–0 against the Black Stars
of Ghana in the first outing, 2 – 0 against Zimbabwe
in the second match and 2 – 1 on Tuesday against the
Teranga Lions of Senegal, who had hitherto remained Nigeria's
soccer nemesis.
With nine points, the Eagles finished first in Group A to
set the stage for a reprisal attack on Tunisia in the quarter-final
on Saturday. And the Nigerian boss, Austin Eguavoen says it's
pay back time for the Tunisians, who sent the Eagles out in
the semi-final two years ago in Tunis, ably supported by vociferious
and hostile home crowd.
"One bad turn deserves another," Eguavoen said.
"It's pay back time for Tunisia. They robbed us of the
trophy two years ago as hosts. Port Said is a neutral ground.
In fact, it has become our home. We are waiting for them.
“Tunisia is a good side, no doubt, but we are set to
take them on as we have never done before. They are tactically
and technically a balance team but we can't afford to lose
to them. If we lose, then we are on the way back to Nigeria.
Our target is the final and the trophy and I can't see how
Tunisia will stop us at this stage."
Echoing his coach, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who won the
Fair Play award in the match against Senegal disclosed that
the Eagles may have not be so fantastic in their last three
matches but against Tunisia, “we shall be turbo charged.
"We are angry and we want to pay the Tunisians back in
their own coin. They edged us out of Tunisia 2004 on penalties
but now, we have to show that we are a better team. We shall
fight with every weapon we have. Our goal is to win the trophy,"
Enyeama said at the post match conference.
The former Enyimba International Football Club of Aba safe
hands could not hide his happiness after he was given the
FIFA Fair Play award as he instantly dedicated the awrd to
God and the Nigerian journalists in Egypt for their belief
in the Eagles.
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