By Gracious Akujobi Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi has expressed confidence that the Eagles are ready for the battle of Addis Ababa.
Speaking at the Eagles camp in Abuja Mikel said they are aware of the athletics nature of the Ethiopians so the team would approach the game with caution but with the intension to win.
He said the Ethiopians are very good passing the ball but he and his team mates will ensure they curtail the Wayla Antelopes.
Asked if the pitch will not be a hindrance to the Eagles, Mikel said that the pitch might help the Ethiopians a little because they are used to it but that there is no way that can stop their mission.
“We are used to bad pitches in Africa and all of us grew up playing even streets and bad pitches before we left for Europe, so we shall handle the pitch situation well. The problem I have with pitches in Africa has to be unnatural grass”
“I dread playing on astro turf because aside from slowing me down, I get injured easily on such turf. So I try not to play on such pitches. Since Addis Ababa is not a synthetic pitch, we can manage the rough or bumpy patches” he said
On what is motivating the Super Eagles, he disclosed that only three of the players in the present squad have been to the world cup and the hunger to be in Brazil is driving the squad to deliver the ticket adding that the moral and financial support the government and people of Nigeria give to the team can only be reciprocated by getting a good result in Addis.
Reminded that the high altitude and harsh weather of Addis Ababa might affect their game, Mikel said they would also try and manage that adding the match will be tough but that the mission is to get a result.
