Uyo – The Ghanaian Coach, Malik Jabir, has lauded the home-based Super Eagles’ 1-0 victory over his U-23 national team, the Black Meteors of Ghana on Friday in Uyo.
The two teams had tackled each other in an International friendly to mark the official opening of the 30,000 capacity Uyo Stadium built by Akwa Ibom Government.
The match, which took place shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the stadium, was watched by Ghanaian President, John Mahama and his Ivorian counterpart, Alassane Quattara.
Jabir said that the Super Eagles played excellently well, saying “Nigeria paraded a formidable team”.
“Nigerian team is a formidable team; they have been playing together but I just assembled my team for only two weeks.
“My team was not as good as Super Eagles’ team.
“The game is a nice one; it has graced the occasion and this is expected and it has happened that way, so we all thank God,” he said.
He expressed the hope that his boys had learned from the Super Eagles and would improve when they got home.
“I am very happy for what I saw’; when I go home I will know where to touch and where not to touch.
“My team’s failure is not an excuse at all; I just began, may be next year if I am to come back here, it will be a much better game,” Jabir said.
He described the Akwa Ibom stadium as an “exceptional stadium,” saying it was different in the whole of Africa.
Also speaking, the Super Eagles’ Coach, Daniel Amokachi, thanked Gov. Akpabio of Akwa Ibom for building a world class facility for the state and Nigeria.
“Though this is a friendly game, anytime we play Ghana it is never a friendly game; national pride comes in,” he said.
Amokachi, however, added, “It is not about the friendly game but is about the world class facility that is here for Akwa Ibom and for Nigeria”.
He said that his captain, Emem Eduok, had made history to be the first ever player to score in Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
“The most important thing for me today is that the son of the soil scored the opening goal in this stadium.
“The man has gone into history, being the first player ever to score in this stadium for his state,” Amokachi said.
The Ghanaian Captain, Isaac Osai, commended Super Eagles for their victory, saying that his team played well but Nigeria team played better.
“The team just prepared for two weeks before coming to play in Nigeria; we played a very good football but the better team won today.
“If a team is just two weeks old and play against Super Eagles of Nigeria like this, I think is a good account for us and we need to continue from there,” Osai said.
Super Eagles’ Captain, Emem Eduok, also expressed appreciation to God for making him to score the first ever goal at Akwa Ibom International Stadium.
“I am so happy to make my fans, friends and my family happy; I thank God I played well.
“I am very happy to score a goal in front of Mr President, other presidents and my governor; I am privileged, I am happy I have made history today,” Eduok said.
He said that the friendly was his first International goal, adding that the match meant a lot to his football career.
NAN reports that at the end of the match, Ghanaian President, John Mahama, presented Gold medals to the Super Eagles for winning what is tagged Transformation Cup.
Ivorian President, Mr Alassane Ouattara, presented the Silver medals to Ghanaian team while President Goodluck Jonathan handed over the trophy to the Eagles. (NAN)
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