Football fans in Ebonyi have expressed delight at the Super Eagles over the Rwandan national in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, on Friday – yesterday, March 21 – but urged the team to play the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches with purpose and vigour, in order to qualify for the next edition of the mundial.
Some of the fans, while reacting to the outcome of the Eagles match against Rwanda, warned the Nigerian team against complacency.
The Super Eagles defeated the Amavubis of Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali to revive their hitherto slim world cup qualifying hopes.
Sensational Striker, Victor Osimhen netted two–first half goals to secure the team’s first win in qualifying series.
Richard Idike, Ebonyi Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, commended the team for the win and urged it to sustain the trajectory.
“The team played very well and brought back the attacking memories of yore with Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo among others on display.
“The players should, however, realise that it has won only one match in the qualifiers and any further dropped point will be disastrous,” he told NAN.
In his own reaction, Ikenna Odo, a member of the Ebonyi Football Association, hailed the team’s attacking flair and its star players for rising to the occasion.
“A team which has the immediate past and the present African Footballers of the Year cannot afford to miss two consecutive world cups.
“Beginning with the match against bottom- placed Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, the team should approach the remaining qualifiers with the same commitment (as witnessed in the Rwandan game),” he said.
Josiah Obi, a businessman and football buff, praised Coach Eric Chelle for winning his first match in charge of the team.
“The team trained for only three days before the match, but still displayed an attacking gusto not seen for a long time.
“The available days it has to train before the Zimbabwean match will be an immense advantage, to play more cohesively,” he said.
Mrs Oluchi Ikpe, a teacher and football enthusiast, urged Nigerians to pray for the team owing to the tortuous road it will take to qualification.
“The team has to win its remaining matches even away to South Africa, to qualify.
“The unflinching spirit exhibited by the players gives me the belief that with prayers, the task is achievable,” she said.
Follow us on all social media platforms @dailyquery for news around the globe.
