The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has praised the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit in coming back from a goal down on a difficult pitch in Mindelo against Cape Verde, earning three precious points that established Nigeria as firm leaders of Group C in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier.
Victory shot the Eagles to six points, three more than second placed Liberia, with Cape Verde and Central African Republic stuck at the bottom of the table with one point each.
“That was what I call a fighting performance. That is the universally acknowledged Nigerian spirit,” Pinnick said. “That is the attitude of champions. The pitch was not the best; the weather was not the ideal, but they remained focused on the big picture and eked a win that guaranteed all the points.”
“Six maximum points from two matches is something to celebrate. Against Liberia in Lagos, they played on a wet pitch because it rained and still got the job done. Against Cape Verde, they were a goal down on an artificial turf they would rather not play on,” Pinnick added.
“Yet they took to the task with the mentality of winners and left with the spoils. We have not won the group yet, but we are in a good place and I see us picking the ticket to the knockout round before the final day of the group phase.”
Pinnick particularly noted that the absence of UK–based players afforded the technical crew the opportunity to test a number of new blood and ascertain their readiness for the big time.
“While we would have loved to have the UK–based players on the trip, I am enamoured by the fighting spirit of those who picked shirts,” Pinnick said. “They delivered with aplomb and this has certainly provided depth for the squad going forward.”
“Now, we must sustain the momentum. It is important that the team is able to replicate the same strong focus, the same compact play, the same fighting spirit and the same marksmanship in the double face-off with Central African Republic early next month.”
- Read more: Nigeria remains on top after Cape Verde win
Victor Osimhen brought Nigeria to parity after profiting from a defensive howler, 10 minutes after the hosts had taken the lead with a ferocious shot by Dylan dos Santos Tavares.
With 15 minutes to go, Kenny Santos Rocha spectacularly lobbed goalkeeper Vozinha for Nigeria’s winning goal when attempting a backpass.
