Ameobi Expresses Optimism Against Argentina

Super Eagles striker Shola Ameobi has expressed optimism that the Nigeria will overcome Argentine threats while sympathising with the exited African teams.

'' Against Argentina we will be going out there to play for Nigeria and make sure we get through. We just have to focus on our own performance and our preparation before the game so we can get our desired result.

"We would have loved for all the other African countries to be available and be in the position to get through to the next round.'' Ameobi said

Ameobi who played for the England Under 21 with the botched hope to join the Three Lions but finally agreed to play for Nigeria after several attempts added: "I consider myself blessed to be involved at the World Cup at this stage of my career. You dream of playing or representing your country at the senior level but doing it also at the world cup just caps it all up"

The former Newcastle pointman also said of Stephen Keshi: "He is a coach that breaks records. Let us even go back to when he was a player and he did great things then. Now as a coach he has won things, he has also broken that no win since '98 record, really it is an honour to play for him so hopefully he might break more records here"

And the coach had this to say about Shola: "Sola, talks a lot to the players, brings his experience to the team on and off the pitch". What does the player himself think of this?

"As a player I feel you learn by experience. We have a lot of young players in the squad and so I try to teach or impart my own experience to them as much as possible without taking over the coaching duties"

For the coach and player, it is an admiration of both their qualities and experience.