Ogu, Ideye target victory

Ideye

Portugal-based midfielder John Ogu  and Ukraine-based striker Brown Ideye are  optimistic that the  Super Eagles will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria face Ethiopia in  the first leg  World Cup qualifying playoff in Addis Ababa on  Sunday with the return match in Calabar   on November 16.

Ogu and Ideye said the Eagles would aim for victory in Addis Ababa in order  not to come under intense  pressure to deliver in  reverse fixture.

Ogu, who was one of the 18 players that trained in Abuja ahead of the encounter on Tuesday, promised that the team would fight throughout the Addis Ababa crash.

“We (the players) have resolved to give  our all to make sure that the country’s flag flies in Brazil come 2014,”   Academica de Coimbra star Ogu was quoted by supersport.com as saying.

“It’s something we have been discussing among ourselves since the draw was made  and we know what is at stake.

“We didn’t come this far to turn back. It’s now or never. All our hard work over the past 10  months will only count if we beat Ethiopia, and that is what we are aiming for.”

The 25-year-old called for support for the team in the battle ahead, saying it would motivate the players.

“Ethiopia are no pushovers, so we won’t treat them with kids gloves. For  us this is a cup final, and we cannot afford to fail Nigerians,” he added.