Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose believes the current Super Eagles team could go on to be the country’s best-ever side after their experience at the World Cup in Brazil, africanfootball.com reports.
Stephen Keshi guided the team to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year and reached the round of 16 at Brazil 2014, where they were defeated 2-0 by France on Monday.
Skipper Joseph Yobo has called time on his international career, while goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has said he will soon decide if he will stay on after more than 12 years with the team.
Most Nigeria fans will pick the 1994 Eagles team who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and also reached the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup in the United States as the country’s best-ever team.
“I believe that in time this will be the best team Nigeria will ever produce,” Celtic defender Ambrose told africanfootball.com.
“We have to give ourselves credit for the determination, the zeal and the will power to win; we proved a point at the World Cup.
“We will carry on from here; there are the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the next World Cup.”
Ambrose says he will see through the remaining two years of his contract at Scottish champions Celtic.
Ambrose, who enjoyed a decent outing as an ever-present for Nigeria at the World Cup, has been linked with a move across the border to the English Premier League.
“I have two years left on my contract with Celtic. I am very happy at the club and enjoying my football. And so I will see through my contract,” he said.
The 25-year-old, who could also play at defensive midfield and right-back, joined Celtic from Israeli club Ashdod in 2012.
He has since played 65 games and scored five goals for the perennial Scottish champions.
Meanwhile, Osaze Odemwingie has blamed American referee Mark Geiger for Nigeria’s second round exit in Brazil, kickoff.com reports.
Osaze said the officiating was not only appalling but against what the General Coordinator for Monday’s game against France, Walter Sieber of Canada, told the Eagles before the clash.
“I recall that when the Canadian came to us he showed us a film of a defender holding down a striker in the vital area in the course of a game and he was very clear that it should be a penalty,” the Stoke City forward said.
“I was then shocked that when I was held by the waist by a French defender, so much so that I could not move with the referee watching at close range, the man waved play on instead of a penalty and a possible expulsion for the player.
“FIFA should not make the world believe that they use double standards at the World Cup, I am shocked that even the media is keeping quiet over the blatant officiating.”
He also criticised the cancellation of Nigeria’s opening goal and Blaise Matuidi’s hard tackle on teammate Ogenyi Onazi.
“It was obvious that some forces wanted France to defeat us at all cost but one day Africa will get at par with the rest of the world in football,” he said.
