Saturday, July 11, 2026

Super Eagles fit, ready for Cameroon today, says media officer

“What Nigerians should expect is an outright win

• January 27, 2024
Super Eagles
Super Eagles [NAN]

Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Babafemi Raji, on Friday in Abidjan, said the players were all fit and battle ready ahead of their round of 16 clash against Cameroon.

The Super Eagles take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a crucial Round of 16 clash at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Saturday.

All 25 players participated in the Super Eagles training held at the Police Nationale Ecole de Police D’ Abidjan on Friday.

The players took part in the session which was mostly light workouts.

The first 30 minutes of the session was open to journalists and the public.

Mr Raji, who spoke at the sidelines of the training, noted that there were no injury concerns as all players were ready and available for selection.

He stated, “No injury concerns, the players are pumped up and all members of the squad are available for selection and in good spirit. Tactically, the coaches have been working all day and night to ensure they get the right strategy for the match tomorrow.

“What Nigerians should expect is an outright win. We don’t want to go the extra mile by getting to extra-time.We just want to do justice within 90 minutes. We call on Nigerians to support us and pray for us.’’

On the call for forwards Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze to be more clinical in front of goal, Mr Raji said it was the responsibility of the team as a whole and not just a particular individual or department.

“Football is a team sport. We don’t look at departments or individuals in football. It is a team sport. We win, lose or draw together. This time tomorrow we will win together,” he said.

On the possible inclusion of Kelechi Iheanacho in the matchday squad against Cameroon, Mr Raji noted that the decision was that of Coach Jose Peseiro.

“We’ve talked about it. It’s the coach’s beat. When the coach deems it fit he (Iheanacho) will come in. He is fit and good to go. When he (the coach) is ready, he will tell him it’s time,” he said.

On the performance of Super Eagles’ current number one goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, he noted that the goalkeeper was in the form of his life, adding, however, that he usually drew his strength from the support of the team.

“Nwabili is having a good time, same with the other goalkeepers in the squad. In every department, there is competition, which is very great. Asides Nwabali, every other goalkeeper in this tournament is good to go; Francis Uzoho is in top form, same with Olorunleke Ojo.

“So, like I keep saying, football is a team sport, it is a team event. We don’t look at individuals. The moral support he gets also comes from his teammates; the likes of Uzoho and Ojo,” he said.

The training which began at about 4.30 p.m. ended at 6.30 p.m. 

(NAN) 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Rashidi Ladoja

States

Olubadan lauds Tinubu on release of Oriire kidnap victims, urges rehabilitation

“As a follow-up to this development, the government must ensure that all communities bordering the National Park are fully secure,” he said.

Mojtaba Khamenei

Heading 1

Iran’s new supreme leader vows revenge over father’s assassination by U.S.-Israeli forces

“We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” he said.

Heading 4

Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One story

The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.

Heading 2

Klopp agrees to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach

Nagelsmann resigned last week as the men’s national team coach following Germany’s shocking exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NICRAT

Health

FG expands cancer funding, local drug production

“We are trying to domesticate expensive treatments by producing much-needed medicines locally and translating global research into action in our clinics,” he said.

Davido, Asake and Burna Boy

Heading 3

Remi Tinubu begs Asake, Davido, Burna Boy to come rescue poor Nigerians from hunger

The first lady stated that buying exotic cars is good, but noted that the singers can still establish foundations to assist the struggling population.