2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa - Former international, Garba Lawal has said the Super Eagles that beat the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire convincingly yesterday evening to book a place in the semi-final in the ongoing 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa are the Eagles Nigerians have been yearning for.
Although not given any chance by most football pundits, the Eagles soared high above highly favoured Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 to qualify for semi-finals.
Reacting to the resounding victory Garba Lawal said every Nigerian football fan will be proud of the result and the team because it has been the dream of Nigerians to return to glory days.
He said against the Elephants, the Eagles did what they have not been able to do in recent times by taking the game to their opponents.
Lawal said the Eagles went all out and as they piled pressure on their opponents, the Ivoriens were unable to keep to their game plan.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medallist said it was victory recorded as a result of determination, commitment and the zeal to die for fatherland.
'I am short of words to express my happiness. All I can say is that this is a new Super Eagles. This is the kind of Eagles that Nigerians have been asking for and it is finally here. Nigerians want Eagles that will show the required fighting spirit.
'The Eagles did what they have not been able to do in recent time. They showed unusual determination, fighting spirit and readiness to die on the pitch. This is what Nigerians have been demanding from the team'.
The former Roda JC player however said the victory over Cote d'Ivoire is just the beginning of the battle as he said there are many more rivers to cross.
He said every team left in the tournament is going to take Nigeria more seriously and this would require total concentration from the Eagles.
'This victory is worth celebrating but the most important thing now is concentration. This is just the beginning of the battle. Eagles are going to face more difficult times ahead. Every team will take them more seriously.
'But if they can keep their head, there is nothing that will stop them from winning their third title in South Africa', he said.
By David Ngobua
Daily Trust/04/02/2013