President of the world football governing
body, FIFA, Joseph Sepp Blatter, has congratulated
Nigeria for being the first African nation to qualify for
the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured the ticket for
the World Cup Saturday after defeating visitors, Walya
Ibex of Ethiopia 2-0 thus securing a 4-1 aggregate
victory in the two legged qualifying playoff.
A first half penalty goal from Liverpool of England
star, Victor Moses and a second half free kick curled
out of the reach of Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Sesay
Bancha by Lokomotiv Moscow attacker Victor Obinna
ensured that the Nigerian team picked their fifth
ticket to play at the 2014 World Cup in a crucial
match played at the U.J Eusene Stadium, Calabar,
Cross River State.
The Eagles had taken part in the World Cup in 1994,
1998, 2002 and 2010.
Posting on his official twitter page Sunday, Blatter
wrote: “@SeppBlatter: Congratulations Nigeria! 1st African
team qualified for #WorldCup after 4-1 aggregate win v
Ethiopia. A 5th World Cup for the Super Eagles.”
Stephen Keshi’s team were favourites going into the
second leg of the World Cup playoff against the
Ethiopians in Calabar on Saturday and it was not a
surprise to many football pundits that the Eagles could
have an easy ride over their visitors in the match.
Even coach Bishaw Sewnet congratulated Keshi after
the match saying “I congratulate Keshi, his team and
the people of Nigeria for going to the World Cup.
Although I’m not totally satisfied with some decisions of
the centre referee (Gambian Bakary Papa Gassam) in
the match for denying my team two penalties that
could have changed the outcome of this match, I still
have to give kudos to the Nigerian team for picking
the World Cup ticket.”
Sewnet also heaped praises on his young team who he
said are mainly players from the local scene in
Ethiopian football.
“These boys have great future ahead of them. They
came out strongly to give the Eagles who paraded
players playing professional football in Europe a good
fight,” said Sewnet.
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