WCQ: Eagles will fly over Cameroon—Ugbade

As the countdown to the World Cup Qualifier (WCQ) against Cameroon approaches, ex-international Nduka Ugbade, has predicted victory for the Super Eagles when they battle the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Uyo on September 1, 2017.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Extra Time, he stated that although many Nigerian fans have written off the team after their poor performance against South Africa in a 2018 Nations Cup qualifier, he is optimistic they will rise to the occasion by picking the maximum points in Uyo and secure at least a draw in the reverse fixture in Yaoundé.

“It is true that Cameroon are the defending AFCON champions and participated in this year’s FIFA Confederation Cup, but we have young players that can beat them here in Uyo and get at least a draw in the second leg.

“I want Nigerians to remember the same Super Eagles went to Zambia, a high altitude country and defeated them. They can still repeat the same feat in Yaoundé.

“Although many Nigerian fans have written the Super Eagles off after their poor show against South Africa, I still believe our boys will rise to the occasion and post a good performance against the Central African country,” he said.

On the issue of the national team being jinxed against Cameroon, the former Golden Eaglets captain noted that such things happen in football at times and expects the Super Eagles to break the jinx.

“In 1934, Brazil against all expectation lost the World Cup final 1-0 at home to Uruguay and everybody thought it would never happen again, but at the last World Cup which they hosted, they also lost scandalously 7-1 to Germany.

Today, Brazil are rebuilding and getting stronger which I know the present coach of the Super Eagles is doing too,” he stated.

Ugbade advised the team to avoid complacency and infighting while appealing to NFF and the Federal Government to motivate the team well ahead of the double header against the perennial rivals, Cameroon.