Nigeria arrive in Salvador ahead of Uruguay game

The Eagles are upbeat following their 6-1 triumph over Tahiti in Monday's opening game in Belo Horizonte

Jun 18, 2013 4:12:00 PM

Oduamadi and Nigeria celebrate against Tahiti

Nigeria arrived in Salvador, north-eastern Brazil on Tuesday afternoon ahead of their clash with South American champions Uruguay on Thursday.

The African champions are on top of Group B of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup following a 6-1 trouncing of Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday evening.

World and European champions Spain who defeated Uruguay 2-1 in the first match of the pool on Sunday night, are second on goals difference.

While the Spaniards will look to pile up the goals against Tahiti on Thursday, the Eagles have confidence they can overpower Oscar Tabarez’ La Celeste and earn a semi final ticket ahead of their final group phase tango with the world champions in Fortaleza on Sunday.

NFF President Aminu Maigari understandably elated by the team’s performance against the Tahiti on Monday, has charged the boys to increase the tempo against the tactically-aware Uruguayans.

“The Eagles have started well, and they are perching on top of the table as expected. We believe they have the strength and the savvy to go all the way and do our country and Africa proud.

 “I want them to forget about the win over Tahiti and appreciate that Uruguay is a different ball game. They should work very hard and come out on top on Thursday,” Maigari said.

Salvador, the capital of Bahia State, is home to about 2.7 million people and is Brazil’s third most populous city. It was Brazil’s first capital city until 1763. It is also regarded as the black capital of Latin America, as more than 80 per cent of its inhabitants are of African descent.

Coach Stephen Keshi has also been telling his boys to believe in their ability as the boys cruised into the Hotel De Ville Tuesday afternoon.

“Nobody gave us the chance to triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. We love the status of underdogs that we have here and it will help us to achieve our objective of making Nigeria and Africa proud.”