Super Eagles will qualify for Russia 2018 ―Dalung

2018 World Cup Qualifier: Super Eagles stars training in Uyo ahead of crucial Cameroon clash

Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, is confident that the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2018 World Cup taking place in Russia next year.

He stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

He assured that the team which takes on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a double header within the next few days, was in high spirits.

Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung

He said, “Well, as for the level of preparation for Nigeria and Cameroon match, everything possible has been put in place. Our players are in high spirit, they are training and they will continue to train.

“We have invited almost all our best to the camp. We are expecting nothing less than victory. We have also been able to review our experiences in the immediate past and we have improved on it.

“So, we expect a win in Uyo and hopefully we expect a win in Cameroon or a draw at worse. So, I think there is no cause for alarm as far as our ticket for 2018 Russia is concerned.”

Dalung also commented on the success of the FIBA Afro Basketball Women Champions, D’Tigress, who were presented to President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

He said: “When they were presented to the ministry on Tuesday, we sought the approval of Mr. President which he graciously approved to receive them on Wednesday, and indeed they were received in council and having emerged as champions they are qualified for the competition in Spain in 2019.

“Although we have athletes who had competed in other sports and had won laurels for the country, we felt it was economical to present the basketball team which was handy on ground in view of the fact that if you look at the components of players, they were mixed with national players and foreign based.

“So, we got the opportunity handy and had received them and for those we have not been able to do, we will still do it at the appropriate time knowing too well that this government is always committed to receiving an honouring our athletes whenever they make the country proud.”