Ethiopia can’t stop our World Cup dream —Eagles

Super Eagles
Super Eagles players have vowed to take Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes to the cleaners in Calabar in Saturday’s final playoff for the 2014 World Cup
The Eagles go into the encounter with a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Ethiopia.

Team captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiejile, Victor Obinna, Brown Ideye and Austin Ejide are the only members of the present squad, who have featured at the World Cup.

If Nigeria qualify for Brazil 2014, it will be Mikel Obi’s first World Cup, after he missed the last one with an injury.

The Chelsea star is already looking forward to playing at football’s biggest tournament next year.

He told kickoff.com, “For me it’s going to be special because I missed out on the last one with a knee injury. But it will be the same for everyone in the team as well, that’s why we are working very hard towards this goal.

“A lot of the guys haven’t been there before either so we are all working very hard and hopefully we get the result we are hoping for.”

Dynamo Kiev forward Ideye, who represented Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup, is banking on the good luck the UJ Esuene Stadium has brought the team.

“We have not lost a game since we began playing here and that would not change this weekend. You can see the spirit in camp is very high and we know what is expected of us,” Ideye told mtnfootball.com.

Even though midfielder John Ogu is expecting a difficult game, he is also looking towards playing in his first World Cup.

He said, “I expect a very difficult game from the Ethiopians on Saturday. You know in football nothing is impossible. The Ethiopia I know would be thinking that if we can beat them in their own backyard they should be able to do same in Calabar.

“One thing I know is that we would approach Saturday’s game as if we have not played the first leg before.”

Meanwhile, Ethiopia arrived at the Magareth Ekpo airport in Calabar on a chartered aircraft on Thursday afternoon for the crucial qualifier. The North East Africans lodged at the Channel View Hotel and they had an open training session same day at the University of Calabar.

They will have a closed session at the UJ Esuene Stadium, venue of the game, on Friday (today) afternoon.

Despite trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Addis Ababa, Head coach, Sewnet Bishaw, is in confident mood.

Sewnet, who led Ethiopia to win the regional CECAFA Cup in 2005, has included Getaneh Kebede in his final squad as he aims to upset the African champions.