Guardian Eagles will beat Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Maigari assures FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER 2013 00:00 FROM EZEOCHA NZEH, ABUJA SPORT -HOME • NFF not aware of Presidency’s chartered flightTHE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday revealed that its strategy is to beat Ethiopia in Addis Ababa and return to Calabar to celebrate qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Speaking in Abuja yesterday, NFF President, Aminu Maigari, said the Super Eagles’ victory in Addis Ababa would pave the way for Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup ticket, stressing that the team needs prayers from all Nigerians to actualise their game plan in Ethiopia. “The clash between Nigeria and Ethiopia is a two-legged affair, but we know that if we win in Ethiopia on Sunday next week, 90 per cent of the job would have been done. “Of course, we are taking both legs of the fixture very serious. But we are determined to prove in Addis Ababa that we are the champions of Africa and we can win on any soil,” he noted. On the report that the Presidency has approved two chartered aircrafts for the airlifting of Nigerian football fans to cheer the Eagles to victory in Ethiopia, the NFF president, who said the Federation was unaware of the plan, however, appreciated the numerous efforts of the President in ensuring the development of football in the country. “We are complimenting the efforts of the Nigerian people. It is our belief that every stakeholder is contributing towards getting this ticket ahead of Ethiopia. The Federation is not relenting in this regard. We have touched a lot of areas; we do not want to expose our plans at this forum. But we have not come across that information about the Presidency’s decision on chattered aircraft. “If it is true that the President has approved two chartered flights for the Ethiopia trip, it proves the harmonious relationship we have with them. I have not actually heard any official confirmation of the report. It goes to show that the President is very concerned about the team. We will reciprocate this gesture by ensuring that we develop Nigerian football. “We are making tremendous efforts in terms of reaching out to corporate sponsors, to government, our biggest financier, because we know that government is not relenting to see that we pick the ticket. Let me assure you that we will do everything possible to ensure the Super Eagles got the deserved support in Ethiopia,” Maigari noted. Meanwhile, FIFA has appointed veteran official, Walter Gagg, from Switzerland as observer for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying final elimination round match between Ethiopia and Nigeria scheduled for Addis Ababa on October 13. The world body has also confirmed that the match will start at 4pm Ethiopia time, which is 2pm Nigeria time. FIFA also appointed Camerounian referee, Neant Alioum, to take charge of the potentially-explosive game, with Alioum’s compatriots, Evarist Menkouande, Yanoussa Moussa and Henry Duvalier Mouandjo Kalla, as Assistant Referee 1, Assistant Referee 2 and Fourth Official respectively. Egyptian Essam Siam will be referee assessor, with Wilfred Mukuna from Zimbabwe as match commissioner and Kenyan Nicholas Musonye as security officer.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 07:29:03 +0000
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