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Enaholo dreams, as Flying Eagles land in Christ Church

By Christian Okpara, with agency reports
09 June 2015   |   3:34 am
FLYING Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo, is happy that he has overcome the first game jitters, which saw him conceding four goals in Nigeria’s first game against Brazil at the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Enaholo was at fault for two of the four goals scored by Brazil in Nigeria’s 2-4…
Enaholo

Enaholo

FLYING Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo, is happy that he has overcome the first game jitters, which saw him conceding four goals in Nigeria’s first game against Brazil at the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

Enaholo was at fault for two of the four goals scored by Brazil in Nigeria’s 2-4 loss to the South Americans, but his subsequent performance against North Korea and Hungary in the games Nigeria won 4-0 and 2-0 respectively has restored confidence in the team’s back line.

As if his saves were not enough, Enaholo also set up his side’s second goal. His raking throw travelled almost to the edge of the opposition box before being seized on by Taiwo Awoniyi, who finished clinically in order to double Nigeria’s lead in the 54th minute.

But his biggest test yet is expected to come on Thursday when Nigeria meets European champions, Germany, in a second round game in Christ Church.

Enaholo told FIFA.com after the 2-0 defeat of Hungary on Sunday that he was grateful to Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, for giving another chance, adding that he would do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed on him.

“Obviously I am pleased. I thank God and my team-mates for this wonderful win, but I want to do even more than I did today. This isn’t enough for me,” he said.

Enaholo believes he has redeemed himself, adding, “After the Brazil match, I was in a really bad state. I was desperate to make amends. I challenged myself to do better throughout the rest of the competition. What I did against Korea and Hungary is just the beginning.”

Nigeria’s next game is against the runaway leading scorers, who have an impressive 16 goals in three games.

But Enaholo is not fazed by such reputations, insisting, “They’re a good team, but we’ll be ready.”

Meanwhile, the team arrived in Christchurch yesterday evening ahead of are lodged at Rydges Latimer Christchurch, where their rivals for a place in the last-eight of the World Cup are also putting up. 

Thursday’s match will hold by 8.30 a.m. Nigerian time.
 
The winners of this match-up will battle the winners of another Round of 16 match between Ghana and Mali in the quarterfinals, which will also be staged in Christchurch.

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