Nigeria ambassador to Algeria Demenongu Agev has expressed confidence that with good preparation, the Super Eagles can go all the way and spring some surprise at the 2018 World Cup.
Agev, who has been a wonderful host to the Nigerian contingent in Algeria, said his confidence in the current crop of players is not far-fetch given the prowess the team has so far displayed in the qualifiers as well as the discipline and overall commitment of the squad to the task at hand.
“What I know and have seen about this team gives me confidence to project a wonderful outing for the squad at Russia 2018 World Cup. When I addressed them at dinner last night (Thursday) I made it clear that even though the ticket has been won, that Nigerians deserve to finish on high against the Algerians.
“They have so far displayed some prowess, and they can only get better with good preparation. And who knows, we can go all the way to the finals,” Agev told Nigerian journalists in his Hotel Novotel at the ancient city of Constantine.
On the disposition of the host country, he said that already, Nigerian players are household names in the North Africa nation and have a lot of fans in Algeria who he believes have severely expressed their readiness to extend their support to the Super Eagles at world cup.
“Even though we have picked the ticket already, I still do not think the team would have faced any serious antagonism here against the Super Eagles. Yes, there would have been greater excitement among the host to win the match, this is normal; but they would not been antagonistic.”
He added however that there is need for greater synergy between the organizers, Nigeria Football Federation and Nigerian embassies located in Russia and other nations where the eagles may have engagement to ensure success of the team.
“As ambassadors, we are here to represent the President in service of our country. Ours is to ensure that the team succeeds to the glory of the country. It has been exciting, for many it is a lifetime opportunity. There’s no endeavor without challenges but it is good when we see opportunities in such challenges
“A major challenge was delay getting information about the composition of team, size of the delegation and arrival of team and delegation, where the team will arrive.
He said that the embassy also maintained regular communication with NFF as well as ambassadors in both Morocco and Russia where the team respectively camped and would later play a friendly match Argentina.
Agev, who travelled with the Nigeria contingent on the six-hour bus journey from Algiers to Constantine, said Nigerian football fans resident in the country have been mobilized to support the team.
