Obasanjo urges Nigeria on to glory in African Nations Cup
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Obasanjo urges Nigeria on to glory in African Nations Cup
Obasanjo urges Nigeria on to glory in African Nations Cup
January 26, 2004
ABUJA (AFP) - On the eve of Nigeria's first match in the African Nations Cup, President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the Super Eagles to justify the hopes of Nigerian fans and the fears of the bookmakers.
The highly rated Nigerian team is due to begin its Tunisia 2004 campaign Tuesday against Morocco in Monastir, and hopes are running high that it will repeat its 1994 victory in the same competition.
But, in a letter to coach Christian Chukwu and his squad, the leader of Africa's most populous country warned of the dangers of over-confidence.
"Even as you are poised to re-enact the feat of one decade ago in the same Tunisia .. I need not restate here the collective wish of our people for a resounding victory," Obasanjo wrote.
"I must quickly advise, however, that you must eschew indiscipline, over-confidence, conceit and complacency in this match and subsequent games," he warned.
Obasanjo cited the example of the then world champions France's inglorious exit from World Cup 2002 as an example of the dangers of hubris.
"To this extent, the team must be disciplined, focused, hard-working, forward-looking, sober and prayerful all the time," he said, adding, however, that he still thought Nigeria a good bet for champions.
"I share the view of many bookmakers that Nigeria has the calibre of players to ensure our victory in this tournament," he said.
Sixteen competing national teams have been split into four round-robin groups and will play three qualifying matches each before February 4.
The top two in each group will qualify for the quarter finals, and the winners continue on a knock-out basis until the final on February 14.
On the eve of Nigeria's first match in the African Nations Cup, President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the Super Eagles to justify the hopes of Nigerian fans and the fears of the bookmakers.
January 26, 2004
ABUJA (AFP) - On the eve of Nigeria's first match in the African Nations Cup, President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the Super Eagles to justify the hopes of Nigerian fans and the fears of the bookmakers.
The highly rated Nigerian team is due to begin its Tunisia 2004 campaign Tuesday against Morocco in Monastir, and hopes are running high that it will repeat its 1994 victory in the same competition.
But, in a letter to coach Christian Chukwu and his squad, the leader of Africa's most populous country warned of the dangers of over-confidence.
"Even as you are poised to re-enact the feat of one decade ago in the same Tunisia .. I need not restate here the collective wish of our people for a resounding victory," Obasanjo wrote.
"I must quickly advise, however, that you must eschew indiscipline, over-confidence, conceit and complacency in this match and subsequent games," he warned.
Obasanjo cited the example of the then world champions France's inglorious exit from World Cup 2002 as an example of the dangers of hubris.
"To this extent, the team must be disciplined, focused, hard-working, forward-looking, sober and prayerful all the time," he said, adding, however, that he still thought Nigeria a good bet for champions.
"I share the view of many bookmakers that Nigeria has the calibre of players to ensure our victory in this tournament," he said.
Sixteen competing national teams have been split into four round-robin groups and will play three qualifying matches each before February 4.
The top two in each group will qualify for the quarter finals, and the winners continue on a knock-out basis until the final on February 14.
On the eve of Nigeria's first match in the African Nations Cup, President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the Super Eagles to justify the hopes of Nigerian fans and the fears of the bookmakers.
