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Super Eagles midfielder, Obiora Nwankwo, says the three-time African champions have admitted that they didn’t play well against Taifa Stars of Tanzania last Saturday in Dar es Salam. The match ended 0-0 and it saw the super eagles playing more like football trainees, with the Tanzanian team playing with more purpose and resourcefulness. The super eagles were far behind all the moves of the Tanzanians, who played like the real masters of the game. If not for the special and professional touch of the goalkeeper, the match could have counted against Nigeria.

The new goal tender was responsible for saving Nigeria the shame of defeat as he was on hand to parry and push and catch everything that was thrown at him by the Tanzania. Players; no one ever disputed the decision to make him man of the match at the end of day. Few of the players showed signs of life during the match too. Haruna Lukman for one was a clear disappointment. He was so disappointing that the coach had to substitute him in the first half.

The super eagles did have their opportunities, but such were thrown away in the most unconvincing manners. Presently, Nigeria is second on the table with Egypt coming tops. With the already garnered 4 points from 2 matches, some Nigerians still feel Nigeria can qualify from the group. Time will tell in that regard.

Obiora Nwakwo said that the Eagles are however not intimidated by the prospect of facing Egypt on match day three of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in March next year. The Egyptian Pharaohs are topping Group G having amassed maximum points from their first two games.

A 5-1 win for the Pharaohs last Sunday against Chad in Ndjamena underlined the North Africans’ intent but Obiora says players of the Super Eagles are not losing sleep over the prospect of facing the group leaders. “Nobody here is scared of facing Egypt because we know that if we play to our capabilities, we are capable of beating anyone. “We did not really play well against Tanzania.

There is no point trying to lie about that. However, it was to be expected because it was the first game we were playing under our new coach,” the former Inter Milan man told supersport. com.

Meanwhile, ahead of today’s international friendly match against the Mena of Niger Republic kicking-off at 3pm in Port Harcourt, Coach Sunday Oliseh has expressed delight at the unity among his players, saying it is what the Eagles need to re-launch themselves in Africa.

“I have said it over and over that I am no magician. We have to come to accept the hard fact that we are not right there at the top there, at the moment. “No doubt, we have potential, and based on the unity I have seen among the players and the willingness to work hard and accomplish, we will get back to the top in good time,” Oliseh said at a press conference at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.