NSC chairman Bolaji Abdullahi says the government does not expect much from the Super Eagles going into next month's African Nations Cup. Despite failing to make the last tournament, the Nigerian team are still rated as one of the favourites for the title, but Abdullahi insists that the government's expectations are next to nothing. “It will not be easy for the team to be building and contesting at the same time. We do not expect much from the team because it is still a new team. They are not under any target from us. "It is a new team and we have to be very careful." Abdullahi did say the government would do everything to support the squad to have a successful outing in South Africa. "The coach and players need support from every Nigerian, and as government, we will give them the necessary support they need. "So let’s hope that everybody will put their hands together for the Eagles to do well,” the minister stated. Article by: Colin Udoh Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email Share on print More Sharing Services 2 Add New Commentlogout Comments Login Form Email: Password: Your comments on this story... Bookmark and Share Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results Khosi my Religion posted: 09:18 am very misleading headline, amateurish journalism at it's very worse, so KO please do tell us who have u quoted here, the nigerian sports minister or the chairman of their national football federation? blackpanther187 posted: 09:32 am In my Opinion the Eagles can win it or atleast get to the final. I think so because of the fact that in recent years they allways somehow made it to the 3rd place. 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 we were third best team in africa. Plus now we have a team. I trust these group of Players!! blackpanther187 posted: 09:35 am It sounds funny but Homebased(Egypt, Zambia) will dominate this tournament, because the Superstars from europe are to busy with their clubs. Listen Keshi.......... Anonymous posted: 02:44 pm Blackpanther, Egypt did not even qualify! Zambia is not using mostly home based. Their squad is full of players from TP Mazembe in Congo, South Africa and China. Please don't mislead others. Slyman stanslinks posted: 06:40 pm “It will not be easy for the team to be building and contesting at the same time. We do not expect much from the team because it is still a new team. They are not under any target from us\". For God's sake who the heck says a thing like this??? This very man who ever he is will be the first to call for the head of the Couch if they fail to get the cup. Is this encouraging the players or discouraging them? Please ask him to update/educate himself on the current spirit surrounding the atmosphere of the Eagles by reading just this one article below, posted very recently. If he doesn’t know what to say, he should keep his expectations to himself and perhaps speak after the AFCON. What team goes into a tournament expecting not to do well? Is he from Nigeria or South Africa? Please read this from one of the Eagles. MIKEL CONFIDENT OF AFCON WIN Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi believes that Nigeria has a great chance of winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Posted: 12 December 2012Time: 11:23 am Print this article Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi believes that Nigeria has a great chance of winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations under Coach Stephen Keshi. Nigeria's 2013 Afcon campaign kicks off with a Group C clash against Burkina Faso on January 21. In a chat with the Fifa website Obi says that he picks Nigeria to win the tournament on February 10. "Ghana and Ivory Coast will also be up there, but teams like Cape Verde and Zambia could pose major threats. “If Cape Verde could stop Cameroon, they must have qualities to do so. They therefore need to be taken seriously,\" he tells the Fifa site. The Nigerian midfielder, who is in Japan with his Chelsea teammates to take place in the Fifa Club World Cup tournament, believes that if Nigeria play as a team it will be tough to stop them winning the Afcon trophy for a third time. \"We need to prepare well, be focused and take all opponents very seriously. We also need to play as a team. \"If it is individual qualities, we have that in abundance. Coach Stephen Keshi has already won this tournament as a player, and I believe he can make history by winning it again as a coach,\" Obi adds. stanslinks posted: 06:42 pm \"They are not under any target from us\" THIS IS JUST CRAZY!!!. Paddy Moore posted: 01:03 am Keshi may have a star studded team or amateur and still loose. The players must have a winning mentality. No matter whatever play pattern they are advised to adapt to, they must play to win, PERIOD. We have seen teams times without number come in as favorites and are knocked out at the early stages. Eagles must have a winning attitude, a fighting spirit otherwise they will loose out like Chelsea against Corinthians. Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results Terms of use: The comments posted do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com. Logged in users can select "report" next to the offending comment. Have your say on this and other topics on the team kickoff Social Networking site Click here! Click Here!

NSC chairman Bolaji Abdullahi says the government does not expect much from the Super Eagles going into next month's African Nations Cup.

Despite failing to make the last tournament, the Nigerian team are still rated as one of the favourites for the title, but Abdullahi insists that the government's expectations are next to nothing.
“It will not be easy for the team to be building and contesting at the same time. We do not expect much from the team because it is still a new team. They are not under any target from us.
"It is a new team and we have to be very careful."
Abdullahi did say the government would do everything to support the squad to have a successful outing in South Africa.
"The coach and players need support from every Nigerian, and as government, we will give them the necessary support they need.
"So let’s hope that everybody will put their hands together for the Eagles to do well,” the minister stated.