Football fans in Benin City, the capital of Edo, have
declined to set target for the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup which would kick-off
on Thursday in Russia......
The fans, who spoke with on Monday, said such would weigh
them down should the team fail to meet with their target. The fans, however,
expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would perform creditably in the
world’s biggest football tournament. The fans also said they did not expect any
team outside the traditional countries to lift the 2018 World Cup. They listed the
traditional countries to include Brazil, Argentina and Germany to win this
year’s tournament. For Douglas Ogbankwa, a lawyer and sports analyst, the Super
Eagles friendly matches before the World Cup will not encourage anyone to set a
target for them. He also said he was open to surprises from them team,
especially against the background of the team’s response in the second halves
of their friendly games against Dr Congo, England and Czech Republic. According
to him, in the second halves of these matches, the players showed what they are
capable of doing should they get their acts together. “It is on this basis that
I will keep myself in check, especially as it concerns making predictions of
their performance; I am just going to enjoy myself while I await the element of
surprises from the team.’’ A civil servant, John Omoruyi, said the performance
level of the team always fell whenever there was much expectation from their
performance. “I am going just to have an open mind toward the team and see how
far they can go in the tournament. “As for which country will win the
tournament, it is either going to be Brazil or Germany. I expect Argentina to
also go far in Russia,’’ he said. Alemma Aliu-Ozioruva, a journalist and sports
writer, said he would not be bothered setting any target as he would not want
to be disappointed at the end of it all. “I am open to whatever performance I
see from the players and team generally. If they go beyond the group stage, I
will be surprised. “This is, however, not to say that my expectation of the
team is a poor showing at the World Cup. “As for which country will win the
World Cup, I don’t not see any outside Germany, Argentina and Brazil; which are
the traditional winners, lifting the cup,’’ he said. Jimoh Ibrahim, a businessman,
asked Nigerians to pray for the players and their coaches for they had done
their best during preparations. Super Eagles are drawn in Group D with their
familiar foes, Argentina as well as Croatia and Iceland. (NAN)
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