The Super Eagles at the Calabar Stadium just before qualifying for the World Cup tournament
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Soccer buffs in Calabar, Cross River, have lauded the Super Eagles on their triumph Saturday night over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup Group F game at Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba, Brazil.
They also commended the trio of Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike and Vincent Enyeama for putting on a match winning mentality to secure for Nigeria the hope of advancing to the round of 16.
Speaking with our regional correspondent in Calabar shortly after the match Anietie Akpan, a public servant said the country’s representatives offered hope to soccer lovers even with the last group match against Argentina remaining
He said: “Odemwingie was fantastic, Emenike was competitive and Enyeama has shown us why he remained number one in Lille, France. Look at the way he stopped Edin Dzeko.I was so elated for the team’s performance.
“I have always told my friends to give the team a chance; believe in them and anything can happen was also happy about the performance of Ghana against Germany with whom they drew 2-2.
Also speaking, Musiliu Adeleke, an electrical engineer, who said he watched the match at a viewing centre where he also saw Nigerian players give their best for the country.
“Since the opening game against Iran I was still hoping that Nigeria can progress beyond the group stage and Odemigwe sustained that hope. I am so happy,’’ he said.
“I shouted so much in happiness when Odemigwe scored in the first half; I was also afraid when they tormented our defence but thanks to Enyeama for stopping them from spoiling my day, Iqwo Etim, a housewife said.
For Jude Okwe, a Calabar-based journalist it was “a defining moment for Nigeria who also needed to win against Argentina to proof a point.
“After we drew against Iran in the first group match where many thought we should have won, not many believed in Nigeria progressing beyond this group. But now there is genuine hope,’’ Okwe said.
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