Leadership (Abuja)
14 November 2008
General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federaiton (NFF), Dr Bolaji Ojo-Oba said yesterday in Abuja that the federation has spoken to members of the national senior team, Super Eagles, on the need to take Wednesday's international friendly cracker against Colombia in Cali with all seriousness.
The two -time African champions square up against the 1994 World Cup sensation in an exhibition game that will parade the best materials from both countries.
And amidst unhealthy speculation that the Nigeria team may not be at full strength for the game, Ojo-Oba said the principal characters of the Super Eagles will be present in Cali to contest every blade of the grass with the South Americans.
"We have always seen this as a serious match. One, we have not played a top -class friendly since the draw with Austria in the month of May. Another thing is that when you get this kind of opportunity, you go in there with your very best and prove a point, which also could have some effect on confidence ahead of crucial competitive matches.
"Furthermore, the FIFA ranking has just been released with Nigeria having climbed up five places to 22nd, and now we are third in Africa. We do not want to lose any of these gains.
"Even more important is the fact that Nigeria football has got to that juncture where our people are desirous of victory in any match, whether friendly or competitive. The name of our dear country is at stake during any football match involving any of our teams. "It is a friendly match but we will have our best players in there to go for victory", said Ojo-Oba.
Wednesday's international friendly is a rare meeting between the two countries. Nigeria lost 0-1 to Colombia in the group phase at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Nigeria have confirmed the availability of among others, Team Skipper Nwankwo Kanu, in -form strikers Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Ikechukwu Uche, Chinedu Obasi and Obinna Nsofor, as well as Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri and Dele Adeleye, and midfielders Christian Obodo, Seyi Olonfinjana and Kalu Uche.
There is also Sudan -based right back Yusuf Mohammed, as well as Beijing Olympics stars Sani Kaita, Oluwafemi Ajilore and Solomon Okoronkwo. Super Eagles Head Coach Shaibu Amodu, presently in the United Kingdom, will fly from London to Bogota, the Colombia capital on Sunday, the same day the other Members of the technical crew will depart from Madrid, Spain.
The players are expected to gather in Madrid on Sunday for the Monday morning flight to Bogota - a flight of 10 hours, 20 minutes.
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