Long before the first ball was kicked in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarter final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast, many had written off the Eagles and given the tie to the Ivorians.

At the sports ministry and even the Nigeria Football Federation, there were lots of undercurrents that pointed to drastic measures that may have culminated in the sack of the Super Eagles technical crew, headed by Coach Stephen Keshi.
Nigeria's Team Photo Front Row: L-R: Midfielder Victor Moses, Forward Sunday Mba, Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Forward Ikechukwu Uche, Defender Godfrey Oboabona. Back row L-R: Midfielder John Obi Mikel, Defender Kenneth Omeruo,Defender Efe Ambrose, Forward Emmanuel Emenike, Defender Elderson Echiejile, Forward Emmanuel Emenike, during a 2013 African Cup of Nations Group C match in Rustenburg on January 29, 2013 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. AFP PHOTO

Nigeria’s Team Photo Front Row: L-R: Midfielder Victor Moses, Forward Sunday Mba, Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Forward Ikechukwu Uche, Defender Godfrey Oboabona. Back row L-R: Midfielder John Obi Mikel, Defender Kenneth Omeruo,Defender Efe Ambrose, Forward Emmanuel Emenike, Defender Elderson Echiejile, Forward Emmanuel Emenike, during a 2013 African Cup of Nations Group C match in Rustenburg on January 29, 2013 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. AFP PHOTO

The degree of doubt in the team and the technical crew by officials reached a crescendo soon after the team’s final group match against Ethiopia in Nelspruit, when it was openly suggested that a foreign coach would be sought to replace Keshi, once the team made its expected early exit from the tournament.

Although the spokesman for the NFF, Chief Emeka Inyamah made a public denial over the search for a foreign coach, he did not dismiss its possibility. Addressing the press after the Ethiopia match, Inyamah said, “that to me is a distraction.

Rather, we will come together at the end of the tournament to review everything. If he is worthy to continue, he will continue and if we think that there is need to bring in a white or black man to assist, then we bring one.”

But events that transpired after that press conference pointed to the fact that the NFF did not believe the Coach Stephen Keshi team could beat Ivory Coast.

NFF officials would not have been taken by surprise if the Super Eagles had crashed against the Elephants on Sunday.

Sports Vanguard gathered in Abuja that the football house had already booked for the team’s return flight to Nigeria soon after the match.

A source told Sports Vanguard that all the money relating to the flight arrangements had been concluded.[quote]http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/incredible-nff-booked-eagles-return-tickets-before-qfinal-match/

Na wah O, see defeatist attitude of these goons, they no even want the guys to prove themselves.

Hmmmmmmm..Then what a disappointment to them..

gulfer:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201302050136.html

Na wah O, see defeatist attitude of these goons, they no even want the guys to prove themselves.

Bullshit story.
So if they had lost the game, they should be looking for tickets to leave SA? Why won't they book tickets?
You're as daft as the jobless people that wrote that story

No harm in that na!

That Hallam in the football house breathes through his anus so I'm not surprised. How dare you write of a man when he is still alive.
Meaning that he has also typed keshi's sack letter.

AjanleKoko:

Bullshit story.
So if they had lost the game, they should be looking for tickets to leave SA? Why won't they book tickets?
You're as daft as the jobless people that wrote that story

You need no replies and if I take the meaning of your name, that means an animal is on NL. Fool-ish as a sheep, you failed to read the highlighted part, Odenson aburo Dejo.

AjanleKoko:

Bullshit story.
So if they had lost the game, they should be looking for tickets to leave SA? Why won't they book tickets?
You're as daft as the jobless people that wrote that story

Now that they have scaled through is it not tax payers money they will use to extend that flight.
Who said flight can't be booked the same hour if they had lost out. Abeg give yourself brain

Built2last: That Hallam in the football house breathes through his anus so I'm not surprised. How dare you write of a man when he is still alive.
Meaning that he has also typed keshi's sack letter.

^^^ Thanks Jare, at least you read the whole article unlike the fool-ish leopard above.

gulfer: You need no replies and if I take the meaning of your name, that means an animal is on NL. Fool-ish as a sheep, you failed to read the highlighted part, Odenson aburo Dejo.

So why did you reply then? You've obviously been sitting on your brains for a while

But serious, if you travel to another country aint u supposed to buy a return ticket?

Nawa oo. Our Enemies shall fall IJN..

No b small tin ohh. NFF no trust keshi and his boys. Can't imagine reading a headline like dis about barca.

So NFF didn't believe in the team they have been preparing. Its a pity Smh

gulfer:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201302050136.html

Na wah O, see defeatist attitude of these goons, they no even want the guys to prove themselves.

Be honest with yourself and tell me if you genuinely expected the Eagles to improve their game against CIV after 3 consecutive poor performances against weaker opposition. Their performance against CIV was a pleasant surprise and I was one of those who gladly ate my words after that match.

Ah! That is what i call "Pro-activity"...

Thank you Eagles for making some people look stupid.

Reptyle:

Be honest with yourself and tell me if you genuinely expected the Eagles to improve their game against CIV after 3 consecutive poor performances against weaker opposition. Their performance against CIV was a pleasant surprise and I was one of those who gladly ate my words after that match.

It's good you gladly ate your words after the match. Pride will not allow a lot people do that.

Has anyone forgotten about "open" Ticket?

Even Keshi gave a speech explaining their intending loss

Their victory left even themselves in shock!

[quote author=FineBro]Nawa oo. Our Enemies shall fall IJN...AAAMMEENN!!

Its like everyone had given up on the Super Eagles. The Morale of this is; If you work truly hard for a victory, even the gods cant stop you.

What? A height of total unpatriotism.

Reptyle:

Be honest with yourself and tell me if you genuinely expected the Eagles to improve their game against CIV after 3 consecutive poor performances against weaker opposition. Their performance against CIV was a pleasant surprise and I was one of those who gladly ate my words after that match.

Oboy u are a man of integrity unlike all these hypocrites trying 2 shift d blame on NFF wheras na them abuse the super eagles pass b4 the CIV match

seriously doubt the story.
The NFF i know would have left the team stranded in South Africa for weeks b4 begging Arik to go and bring dem.
Its not the 1st time we've seen such, na our way.

Frankly speaking, how many pple actually blived we kud win the elephants b4 d game was played?

The irony is that this team could go on to eventually win the trophy funny enough...

gulfer: You need no replies and if I take the meaning of your name, that means an animal is on NL. Fool-ish as a sheep, you failed to read the highlighted part, Odenson aburo Dejo.

You need no Replies ke.....wasere omo mi....master of Gbaugaun

Josh316: The irony is that this team could go on to eventually win the trophy funny enough...

I agree that could happen...only if they stay consistent with their quality against CIV. Honestly, while that was a pleasant surprise, that match marked the last time we would be going into any match in this competition rated as underdogs. Our boys also know that and I pray it wont make them cocky and complacent against Mali so we don't end up crying tomorrow.

If they have a team psychologist, now is the time for him to earn his pay. If the Eagles can approach all the remaining matches with the zest we saw against CIV, there is no team in this competition that can stop them from lifting the trophy.

Who is this troll, go get a life. If you ever visited any forum outside NL, you'll understand forums are not English lessons or sessions.

You can't blame NFF,they started poor. No level of high patriotism go make person call nigeria a corruption-free country.

You can imagine the kinds of 'leaders' we are dealing with. Looking for the team to fail so that they can make money in searching for a foreign 'technical adviser'. SMH.