David Ngobua
7 June 2011
Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico is highly optimistic that despite trailing Guinea by three points, the Super Eagles will still qualify for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Last Sunday, Eagles forced Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia to a 2-2 in Addis Ababa while their main challenger for the sole group ticket, Guinea walloped Madagascar 4-1, thereby opening a three point gap at the top of the group.
As things stand, Eagles would have to score more goals in their next match to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2012 Nations Cup even if they eventually beat Guinea in their last group match in Nigeria later in the year.
Speaking to Trustsports yesterday, the former Green Eagles goalkeeper said the mounting pressure on the team would bring out the best in Super Eagles.
He said he is not worried by the situation which the Eagles have found themselves in because it is not a new thing as he said in the past, they found themselves in similar situations but were able to wriggle through.
According to him, it is good to win matches but fans should also know that it is practically impossible to win all the times.
He explained that had the Eagles lost the match, it would have brought more serious consequences but the draw which came in the last minutes of the match has reduced the pressure that would have been on the player.
Erico said as things stand now, it is necessary that the players and their handlers sit up and ensure that they do not slip on their way to Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.
The ex-international maintained that in football, it is not over until it is all over so those who are afraid that Eagles might not qualify for the Nations Cup should remain calm.
His words: “Despite the draw in Addis Ababa, I am very optimistic that Eagles will still qualify for the Nations Cup. The pressure on the team is not worrisome because it will bring out the best in the players.
“They have been through this path before and they know what it takes to survive. Football is not a win win thing. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I therefore want to believe that Eagles will still qualify.
Had Eagles lost the match in Ethiopia, it would have been a bigger problem. I want to say that the draw has given the team more hope of making it to the 2012 Nations Cup. As such, I don’t want anyone to over panic”.
Erico stressed that Eagles must do everything humanly possible to pick the group ticket as Nigerians will be disappointed if their darling team is not part of the 2012 Nations Cup.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Nigeria: Eagles Will Qualify for 2012 Nations Cup – Erico