Nigeria
coach Stephen Keshi, stand-in captain Vincent Enyeama and defender
Elderson Echiejile insist the Super Eagles have not given up hope of
reaching the Confederations Cup semifinals.
Diego Forlan’s strike brought to an
end Keshi’s long 18-match unbeaten run in competitive games after the
former Manchester United forward got the winner as Uruguay beat Nigeria
2-1 in their Confederations Cup Group B game in Salvador, Brazil on
Thursday.
Uruguay and Nigeria are tied on three
points in the group but the South American champions are expected to
beat underdogs Tahiti on Sunday while the Eagles need to defeat group
leaders Spain the same day to progress in the tournament.
If Nigeria fail to end Spain’s 24-match
unbeaten run in international competitions, they will be sent packing
from Brazil on Monday. La Roja, who routed Tahiti 10-0 earlier on
Thursday, only need a point to reach the last four.
But Keshi said Spain are beatable despite the European and world champions’ brilliant array of stars.
“As for Spain, we can’t wait to play
them. Anything can happen. That’s what makes this such a great game,”
Keshi told reporters in Salvador.
“Everything is achievable,” he said. “It depends how bad you want it.”
Sporting Braga’s Echiejile said the team will go all out for victory against Spain.
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