I ’ll nail Korea – Edefa boasts
…As Nigeria meet Asians in quarterfinal showdown in Calabar
By JUDE IDU Abuja
Monday, November 9, 2009

Photo: Sun News Publishing

More Stories on This Section

Golden Eaglets’ dreaded striker, Egbedi Edefa, has vowed to destroy the might of Republic of Korea when they meet today in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup quarterfinal duel in Calabar.

The two-goal hero in the five-goal demolition of New Zealand last Thursday said he would help Nigeria nail the Koreans to forge ahead in the competition.

He assured that more successes await the Nigerian team, as he has started to score goals in the ongoing cadet championship.
Speaking to Daily Sunsport after the round of 16 match in Abuja last Thursday, Edefa said he has actually suffered goal drought since the championship began, but that he never gave up trying to impress both football-loving Nigerians and the coaching crew.

The attacker believes that the Eaglets have continued to improve their game as the matches come by.
"As you can see, our game has actually improved unlike when we played our first match against Germany in the Group A match opener. Then we were a bit jittery, but now our confidence is back and we will take all our rivals as they come."

On today’s quarterfinal match against the Koreans in Calabar, the Delta State-born player said it’s in the hand of their technical crew to determine the approach they would adopt in the match.
"Ours is to listen and play according to instructions from the bench. Nevertheless, we will not underrate any of our rivals. But I am making a pledge to Nigerians that I will be the machine gun that will shoot down Korea in Calabar.

"We are aware that Koreans are aggressive and somehow stubborn, but I am promising them a hard time. In fact, they have come to the end of the road in their Nigeria’09 outing. It’s unfortunate they are meeting us at this stage of the competition."

Edefa scored on the 14th and 28th minutes of the game against New Zealand on Thursday. Eaglets were in the driving seat in their round of 16 clash against the Kiwis at the Abuja National Stadium, scoring three goals in the first half and finally won the game 5–0. They cruised through their first knockout game to book passage to the quarterfinals, where they will lock horns with the fast-pacing Asian outfit, Korea Republic in Calabar today.

It didn't take the Nigerians long to open their account last Thursday against New Zealand, with Edefa scoring with a left-foot scorcher in the 14th minute after some clever workout by Terry Envoh. Nigeria had the possession as they ran circles around the Oceanians.
Edefa grabbed his second goal of the game after 28 minutes, when he collected a short pass in the area and curled another left-footed strike inside the far post.
The second half saw the Nigerians turning on the style, focusing more on impressing the home crowd with their deft flicks and cheeky tricks than putting the ball in the Kiwis' net. They however got their minds back to play direct football.

Sani Emmanuel grabbed two goals in the space of five minutes (74th and 79th) to make it 5–0. The super sub first dribbled around the goalkeeper to poke into an open goal, before firing home from eight yards outside the post. However, the impressive Okoro assisted in both strikes.

Today, Eaglets face Korea, who edged out Mexico on penalties in their round of 16 meeting in Bauchi. The Mexicans drew the first blood in their game, scoring through Guillermo Madrigal in the fading moments of the first half. But the Koreans roared back to level scores 1–1 at the stoppage time in the second-half.
After a goalless extra-time, the East Asians hit home all their five spot kicks to eliminate the 2005 world champions and book a place to play Nigeria in today’s quarterfinal showdown.

.How to Get Any Woman You Want. Click Here!