Taiwo Adelu

Obafemi Martins up against Phumlani Dlamini. Photo: NFF

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have returned to the country after their match against Swaziland in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

The Eagles played a barren draw in an away game against Sihlangu Semnikati of Swaziland at the Somholo National Stadium on Friday in the first leg second round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Immediately after the match, the players with their coaches and the accompanied officials of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, headed back to the country and were reportedly landed safely in Port Harcourt, Rivers State early today where they will host Swaziland again in the second leg of the qualifier.

The twitter handle of the Super Eagles announced the team’s arrival as early as 7am Saturday.

“We have arrived safely in Port Harcourt.We thank God for journey mercies. Preparations begin in earnest for Tuesday’s 2nd leg vs Swaziland,” it was tweeted.

The Eagles will host Sihlangu Semnikati on Tuesday by 4pm at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.  The Swaziland delegation will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday.

The aggregate winners of the two-legged encounter will qualify for the group stage of the World Cup qualifying race.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu,  has said that Nigerians will see an improved Eagles in Tuesday’s reverse fixture. He assured that there’s no way Swaziland will get the ticket to play in the third round of the qualifiers at the expense of Nigeria. He noted that the Eagles played an improved game on Friday only that the Swazi came out with a good fighting spirit to get a draw from the tie.

To a former Nigerian international,  Godwin Okpara, Coach Sunday Oliseh should work on the mistakes noticed in Friday’s match and correct them to improve on the team in the second leg.

“Oliseh should know that no matter his target in the rebuilding process, Nigerians want to see their team winning their matches, ” Okpara warned.

Former coach of the Eagles,  Austin Eguavoen said that Nigeria didn’t play badly against Swaziland. He added that ” while we’re preparing,  other teams are not sleeping, they too are preparing.  There’s no minnows in African Football anymore. I pray that our players will up their game on Tuesday. “