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KonkNaija Media | May 3, 2016

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Keshi shivers over Iran’s Coach while Jonathan promises to shock Eagles if…

Keshi shivers over Iran’s Coach while Jonathan promises to shock Eagles if…

| On 15, Jun 2014

Super Eagles’ coach appears jittery over the experience of Iran’s coach, Carlos Queiroz as Nigeria faces Iran tomorrow in their Group F opener, with the most realistic aim for both likely to be a second-place finish behind Argentina.

Avoiding defeat against Carlos Queiroz’s men could prove vital in avoiding an early elimination but former Nigeria international Keshi is in the dark as to what threat they will pose.

Iran have never made it out of the group stage at a World Cup but Keshi is mindful of the experience of their coach and the danger possessed by some of their players.

“We have to go out with everything that we have. They have a very good coach and I’m sure they also have some quality players,” he told FIFA.com.

“We don’t know Iran very well, but we’ll see them on Monday.”

Quieroz has managed a host of nations including South Africa and Portugal as well as a stint as coach at Real Madrid.

This kind of know-how is something that Keshi believes will stand Iran in good stead when the nations meet in Curitiba.

“I think an experienced coach is their biggest weapon. He’s well experienced, he knows the game well,” Keshi added.

“For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We’re not going to take Iran lightly because they’re not going to take us lightly.”

Jonathan promises to shock Eagles if…

Goodluck-Nigerian-players

…As Mark motivates team in Brazil

Promises of a bounty reward came from the highest office in Nigeria Friday, when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said he will shock the national team if they are able to make a major impact at the ongoing World Cup being hosted in the South American country of Brazil.Speaking through Senate President David Mark, who led a powerful Federal government delegation to wish the Eagles well in the championship, Jonathan said it was time an African country wins the World Cup, adding that the African champions are motivated enough to do the magic. “When we won the Olympics gold medal at Atlanta 96, we defeated countries like Argentina and Brazil, so I believe we can have a repeat performance at this year’s World Cup, with the talents available to us in this team”, he said.

The Federal Government delegation which includes Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed, Youth, Bonny Haruna, Culture, Chief Edem Duke and host Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, who also declared that he has absolute confidence in the abilities of the team to cause upsets in the championship that will remain indelible in soccer annals.  Also in attendance were two state governors including that of Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke, where the team played all its qualifiers for the World Cup, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Adamu Gumba and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon Godfrey Gaya.

Senator Mark assured that the government was ready to do all within the available resources to make the team comfortable in the championship, adding that he will personally stay back to attend all the team’s games in the opening rounds of the championship. He praised the good conduct of the players so far and thanked the Mayor of Campinas, Mr Donas Donizete, who was also present to lend support to the team.

Earlier, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, said he was thrilled that such a delegation was in town to motivate the players and officials of the team.

Responding, Head Coach of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi said he was happy to see top government functionaries visiting the team recalling that it was the motivating factor that saw him captaining the squad for 14 years.

Team Skipper, Joseph Yobo, assured Nigerians once again that the team would not disappoint at the tournament, while calling for prayers and positive attitude from all and sundry.

After the speeches, Senator Mark presented Yobo, with the national flags, while Keshi also received a flag for the team. All the 23 players also received the national flags.