“For Okwaraji”: Esin Explains Why Super Eagles Should Beat Angola in AFCON's Quarter-Final
- Etim Esin has sent an important message to Nigeria's Super Eagles ahead of their upcoming match
- The former Super Eagles midfielder urged the team to defeat Angola in memory of the late Sam Okwaraji
- Esin noted that a 1-0 victory is the same scoreline with which Nigeria defeated them 35 years ago
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Following the Super Eagles' 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the round of 16 on Saturday, January 27, the Super Eagles are set to face the Palancas Negras in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d'Ivoire.
Source: Twitter
Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin has charged the national team to ensure they emerge victorious in their upcoming game.
Esim urged the Super Eagles to beat Angola in their quarter-final clash fixed for Friday, February 2, 2024, in memory of the late Sam Okwaraji, The Punch reported on Monday, January 29.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
Recall that Okwaraji died shortly after the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos on August 12, 1989, at the age of 25 years old.
He had slumped inside the main bowl of the National Stadium, Lagos, 10 minutes to the end of the Italia 1990 qualifier, and while the Eagles secured a hard-earned 1-0 win, the skilful player lost his life.
The Nigerian, who was a player for the K. Berchem Sports club in Antwerp, was later reported to have passed away from potential hypertrophic cardiomyopathy issues after an autopsy revealed that he had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure.
Esin shares why Nigeria should defeat Angola
With the Eagles now set to face the Palancas Negras in the 2023 AFCON quarter-finals, Esin, Okwaraji's fellow midfielder on the day, charged Jose Peseiro's men, saying:
Esin said:
“I want the Eagles to beat Angola in their next game on Friday in memory of the late Okwaraji because it will mean a lot. We know the Angolans can be dangerous but the Eagles just need to win the game.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, suffered an injury in Nigeria's 2-0 win over Cameroon at the round of 16 in Cote d'Ivoire.
Nwabali could not finish the match after colliding with Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, which left him in pain.
Cameroon Coach reveals why they lost to Nigeria
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Rigobert Song, the coach of Cameroon's Indomitable Lions, attributed his team's 0-2 loss to Nigeria in the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast to sheer bad luck.
He stated that his team was better in the encounter but could not be clinical in front of goal.
Song, in a post-match briefing with the press, said:
“They were not better than us, they just used their chances and we were affected by our inexperience and not doing what we are supposed to do."
PAY ATTENTION: Donate to Legit Charity on Patreon. Your support matters!
Source: Legit.ng
