Don’t disband Eagles now! –Ike Uche

Nigeria and Villarreal striker, Ike Uche has called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF not to disband the Super Eagles owing to the team’s inability to qualify for the AFCON 2015 holding in Equatorial Guinea.

Uche’s plea is coming on the heels of disenchantment by the teeming followers of the Super Eagles who got heartbroken Wednesday night following the 2-2 draw against South Africa at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
He said rather than disband the team, the NFF should look at ways of strengthening the team and organising international friendly matches that would see the team active despite not qualifying for the AFCON 2015.
“The game is over and our target eluded us and we’re saddened by the fact that we won’t be in Equatorial Guinea. It’s really sad that we failed but like many would expect the team to be disbanded, I want to plead with the NFF not to do so. We still have some experienced players that are still useful to the team. Of course there is also the need to bring in some players,” he said. Speaking on the match aboard Discovery Airlines which flew the team to and from the match in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uche said the team simply had a bad day.
“Nothing was working for us and we played badly too despite fighting back from 2-0 down to equalise 2-2. The South Africans came out fighting and from the way they played, it was obvious they were here for a win. We didn’t expect them to play the way they did haven already qualified for the AFCON 2015. The Bafana Bafana boys were very mobile on the pitch and gave us a tough time.”
He admitted that the Eagles had the opportunity of putting the game beyond the South Africans in the first 20 minutes of the game but did not convert the chances until it was too late.
On his long absence from the team before re-joining for the last two games against Congo Brazaville and South Africa, the Spain based striker said he gives glory to God for making a return to the team and thanked Nigerians for the confidence they have in him.
“I can’t say anything about my absence from the team but I’m glad to be back. I thank God, the coach and Nigerians generally. I came to play for my country and will be willing and ready anyday to serve my fatherland.”