England-based stars Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi have said on arrival in Abuja that it is their heart desire to win in Ethiopia in Sunday’s World Cup playoff.
Moses and Ameobi were among the late arrivals at the Super Eagles training camp in Abuja on Wednesday.
Moses, who is on loan to Liverpool from Chelsea, said he expects the African champions to grind a result in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
“Ethiopia are a very good side. They play good football at the last AFCON in South Africa but our aim as professional football players is to go get a result from Addis Ababa. We will be going for a victory but in worse case a draw and hopefully finish the job in Nigeria,” he predicted.
He insisted he does not expect the local conditions in Ethiopia, from a bumpy pitch to the high altitude, to work against the star-studded Eagles.
“We are Africa players and we understand the terrain, so I don’t think their bumpy pitch would be a problem for our team,” he assured.
Newcastle United striker Ameobi said that playing at next year’s World Cup in Brazil is enough to fire Nigeria in Ethiopia.
“We don’t need any extra motivation what so ever to beat Ethiopia. Every player in this squad knows the importance of being at the World Cup and I think that is the motivation we need to do our country proud,” he said.
“Everybody has tipped us to win the game but we must remember that Ethiopia are not push overs. They topped their group like we topped ours and they want to be at the World Cup like we want, but we would go there and give our best for our country ensure that the result is favourable.”
Ameobi has also dismissed speculations regarding his fitness ahead of this showdown. “I worked really hard to ensure that am fit for this game and I can tell you that am fully fit for the encounter. I am happy to be here,” he said.
