FRANCE 98 – NIGERIA United

Despite recent defeats, the Nigerian team’s preparation is on the right track. “We have played against some of the best teams in the world”, coach Bora MILUTINOVIC said on June 9. “We know where we stand before the cup. Now we know only that ninety minutes of fighting are necessary in the matches ahead”.

“We have lost three games, but we have learnt”, added Inter Milan star Nwankwo KANU. The probable captain of NIGERIA during the World Cup campaign, Uche UKECHUKWU, underlined the sense of unity in the squad. “We are all professionals. There are no communication problems, and team spirit is good”.

Jay-Jay OKOCHA, the midfielder who turns out for Turkish club Fenerbahce, says: “We are all Nigerians, and we will always be Nigerians, with our instinctive style of play. As they say, anything can happen with NIGERIA”.