The
recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations saw Nigeria, under Stephen Keshi, begin the
year with a bang, going all the way through to claim their third continental
title and thus seal a place at this June’s FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.
The feat plunged the entire nation into raptures, and striker Yakubu Ayegbeni
was quick to pay tribute to the Super Eagles despite not featuring during the
African finals.
“It
was an exciting campaign for Nigeria,” the 30-year-old Guangzhou R&F
striker told FIFA.com. “We had a young team but they put in brilliant
performances. The coach has done a good job in moulding the team into a strong
unit. It is an achievement which has made all the Nigerian people happy.”
The
success, according to the former Middlesbrough and Blackburn marksman, provides
Keshi’s charges with not only a morale-booster but also challenges heading into
the eight-nation global showpiece, where they are grouped alongside Spain,
Tahiti and Uruguay.
“The
team are expected to continue their good form in Brazil in June,” continued
Ayegbeni, who is Nigeria’s third highest international goal-scorer with 21
goals from 57 caps. “But after our triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations, we
will become a target for rivals, who will be motivated to defeat us. And these
are the continental champions of the world so the pressure is greater, but it
is good for our youngsters to gain international experience.”
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