Super Eagles’ deputy skipper Ogenyi Onazi has stated that he and his teammates are motivated to ensure Nigeria qualify for both the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final competitions.
The three-time African champions will open their quest for qualification for Cameroon 2019 with a game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in June, before switching attention to the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifying double-header against Cameroon in August.
The Eagles lead Group B of the final qualification series for Russia 2018 with 6 points from two matches, 4 points ahead of reigning African champions Cameroon.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick recently reiterated his board’s desire to ensure that the Super Eagles don’t miss out of the tournaments, and the 24-year old Trabzonspor FC of Turkey midfielder says the team is ‘on the same page’ with the CAF Executive Committee member.
“We are on the same page with the NFF President. Of course, everyone wants to go to the World Cup and our desire to go to the FIFA World Cup is very high,” the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star told an online publication.
“For the African Cup, we also want to qualify. The spirit (in camp) is so high. We have missed out of two consecutive African Cup finals, and this time around, we don’t want to take chances. And, as you can see, everyone is fighting to make sure we qualify first in the group.
“Everything we are doing is to put our best to make sure that we get there first and not only getting there, but getting something from the tournaments we are going for, even in the FIFA World Cup.
“We are motivated and ready for every challenge in front of us,” the ex-Lazio star stated.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and will have to overcome the likes of South Africa, Libya and Seychelles in Group E to make it to Cameroon 2019.
