Keshi: What I said about Abuja Stadium
SUPER Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said Wednesday that he was misquoted on his comments on the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Keshi denied that he was out to disparage anybody.
He said, 'I never intended to disparage anybody. All I said was to correct the wrong things I saw when we trained at the National Stadium on Tuesday evening.
'I was responding to a question by a reporter and what I said was that the stadium is not bad, but we still have some work to do. I am surprised that it has become Keshi condemning the entire process of stadium repairs.'
The Super Eagles coach assured Nigerians that the team would be ready for the Ykdachew Tessema Stadium bumpy pitch when it gets to Addis Ababa.
'My players are professionals and they will be ready for any pitch that the Ethiopians will have on offer, because at this level we don't offer any excuses,' he said.
While the team is gearing up for what has been described as the 'Battle of Addis Ababa,' Real Betis midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, who arrived in Abuja Wednesday afternoon, has explained that he came that late because his team was holding him back with meetings.
'We were meeting and meeting and at the end of the day I still had to make my reservations but I am ready.
Shola Ameobi on his part blamed flight mix up for his late arrival, adding, 'it was very long and tiring but am getting used to it. But I want to go to the World Cup with Nigeria, so I must make the sacrifice.'
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has pledged to give the Super Eagles all the support needed to come out of Addis Ababa with a win in Sunday's 2014
FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia's Walya Antelopes.
NFF President, Aminu Maigari, made this pledge in a brief address to the players after yesterday evening's training session at the mainbowl of the National Stadium, Abuja.
Describing Sunday's encounter as 'crucial and critical', Maigari said the NFF has absolute confidence in the ability of the African champions to overcome whatever odds are mounted by the Ethiopians on the day.
'Let me also say that the NFF, and indeed all Nigerians, appreciate your sense of patriotism, dedication and discipline. You are always ready for national service, and always committed to giving your best.
'On Sunday, we will require your very best to come out unscathed. Victory in Addis Ababa is crucial to our winning the ticket to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, in a year that our great country will be celebrating its centenary. Be assured that every Nigerian is praying for you and expecting victory,' Maigari said.
All 23 invited players sweated it out on the refurbished turf as Maigari, accompanied by NFF Vice President, Mike Umeh, Director of Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme and Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire watched from the sidelines.
Stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama told the NFF chieftains that the players were unfazed by the prospect of several odds in Addis Ababa, insisting they are professionals ready to execute an assignment of high importance.
At the end of the training session, owner of Fariah Bottled Water Company, Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, presented several cartons of bottled water to the appreciative players and officials of the team, urging the team to go all out and do Nigeria proud in Ethiopia on Sunday.