Sixteen years down the line Nigerian soccer fans have been waiting patiently to see the Super Eagles win a match at the Mundial and as the team heads to Brazil many including Ukraine-based midfielder Yusuf Ayila have tipped Coach Stephen Keshi’s Eagles to bring the smiles back on the faces of their passionate fans across the world.
Victor Ikpeba’s solitary strike in the game against Bulgaria at the France 1998 edition gave Nigeria her last win at the World Cup and for many, the tortuous wait for another victory shouldn’t extend beyond the Brazil tournament.
“Indeed it’s long but I am very sure Coach Keshi’s side will break the jinx in Brazil, I even see the team going quite far in Brazil” Ayila told FCnaija.com.
Interestingly, the Eagles will face Argentina again in Brazil like Ayila and his colleague did in South Africa 2010 and for the midfielder he believes that the South Americans will be more cautious against the African champions this time around.
“It is a fair group for us if you ask me, of course Argentina is the biggest team in the Group but I believe they themselves will be cautious against us this time around, I just want the players to give their best and take each game as they come, we can go as far as the semi finals” Ayila submitted.
Unfortunately, Ayila will not be in Brazil as Nigeria makes her fifth appearance at the World Cup, luckily for the 29-year old however, he still has fresh in his memories the experiences which the 2010 chance availed him.
(via FC Naija)
