Super Eagles urged to be patriotic at World Cup

Football fans in Osogbo on Monday called on the Super Eagles to go into their opening match against Iran with patriotism and optimism to win the match.
They asaid the Super Eagles should dictate the pace of the game and “torment” their opponent’s attack force.
An athlete, Babatunde Ganiyu, in an interview in Osogbo advised the Nigerian side to see their first match as “very crucial”.
He said: “The football is not predictable and you will discover that all the nations participating in the global soccer competition are parading their best.
“The Super Eagles should see the match as service to the nation; it is beyond the material gains and bonuses.
“The fact that Iran is coming to the World Cup for the first time will make the match tough. The Iranians will want to make a point that they are not under dogs.
“Once the Super Eagles are able to get out of the group stage by giving the opening games all they deserve, they will go a long way,’’ Ganiyu said.
Mr Felix Dada, another sportsman, said that apart from “tonnes of prayers”, the Nigerian players needed to be of improved morale to make the desired impact.
Dada was of the opinion that the technical team should impress it upon the players to go for early goals.
“The Nigerian players have a way of getting demoralised when opponents are leading them in goals.
“The formation of the players should be patterned in a way to suppress the attacking machinery of the Iranians, the Super Eagles should be the tormentors,’’ Dada suggested. (NAN)