Moses predicts tough battle for Eagles

Victor Moses

Liverpool forward Victor Moses says the Super Eagles face a stiff opposition from Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes  in the first leg Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff in  Addis Ababa on Sunday.

But Moses, who  spoke in Lagos on Tuesday after signing a two-year ambassadorial deal with  Globacom, said Nigeria would be victorious in the encounter.

The utility  player  scored  crucial goals against the North-East Africans at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Moses forced the Ethiopians to commit penalties against the Eagles and was equally on hand to convert both as the Nigeria romped to a 2-0 victory in their final group game in South Africa 2013. But this time around, he is putting team success ahead of personal glory.

“We are ready for the battle in Addis Ababa. It’s  going to be a tough match because we will be playing them at home but our target is to get a good result over there to make the return leg in Nigeria a simple task,” 22-year-old  Moses, who represented England at U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-21 levels, said.

“What matters for us now is a positive result away from home, so that we can finish the job at home in the return leg. I am not after scoring but helping the team get a result we will all be proud of.

“As a professional, I know the Ethiopians want to cause an upset after they played against us at the Nations Cup in January. But this is another game entirely because we have put behind the 2-0 victory behind us. Our target is the 2014 World Cup and the Ethiopians can’t stop our dream, this I sincerely believe,”

The second leg of the qualifier is scheduled for November 16 at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar with winner over both legs qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Eagles are aiming to qualify for their fifth World Cup, having played at the 1998, 2002 and 2010 editions, after making their debut in 1994 in the United States of America. But they have to overcome Ethiopia before booking a ticket for Brazil 2014.