Qualifying For World Cup Play-Off Important, Shorunmu Defends Super Eagles

Ike Shorunmu, a former number one goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, on Wednesday said in spite of the not so impressive performance of the Super Eagles at the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, qualifying for the play-off was important.

Shorunmu said this in an interview  in Lagos.

It was a narrow escape for the Super Eagles, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere in Lagos, as they played a 1-1 draw against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off.

“I know people are not happy with the result and the team’s performance on the pitch, we need to let it go, it’s gone.

“The most important thing is that they qualified for the next round, I understand that people are not happy with the result.

“Their concern is valid but we should continue to encourage them, with each match their confidence gets stronger. So, we will continue to support them,” Shorunmu said.

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Super Eagles with 13 points are leading Group C, while Cape Verde are second with 11 points.

Shorunmu, a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, appealed to the handlers of Super Eagles to look inwards and do the needful.

“We need to keep ahead of the next qualifying match, how they going to prepare better for that match,” he said.

Shorunmu, was the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team, and played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Shorunmu was brought into the Nigerian national team by coach Clemens Westerhof in 1992.

The Super Eagles made a perfect start as Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, controlled a cross from Moses Simon, and slotted home in the opening minute.

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In the other matches  in Group C, Liberia beat Central African Republic 3-1.