One time Super Eagles captain, Andrew Uwe wants the current bunch to make sure they beat Cameroon to qualify for the World Cup. “Cameroon owe me big time and since I am not playing again, I want this team to get a victory back for me and Nigerians”.
Nigeria is playing Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier for the first time since the Italia ’90 qualifiers. Then like now, the Indomitable Lions are African Champions. The first game in Ibadan ended 2 nil in favour of Nigeria. The return in Yaounde was the final group game with the hosts needing a win to progress to Italy.
“I hope it has been drummed into the heads of the players the enormity of the rivalry between out two countries in football” Uwe said on the phone from his Germany base. “When you play against Cameroon it is the whole country Vs the whole of Cameroon” he says. “If we lose it is the country that has lost. Same thing when we win”.
In August of 1989 Sam Okwaraji died during the qualifiers. 2 weeks later team travelled to go play Cameroon. “it was a huge loss. He (Okwaraji) was not just a team mate, we had become friends in camp. During the match we missed him. May he continue to rest in peace”.
Uwe played against Cameroon on many occasions “I can’t forget many duels against the likes of Omam Biyik, Roger Milla and many others. They were really tough games each time”. Uwe is the Head Coach of the U17 side of JFV-Nordwest in the regionalliga in Germany.
September 1st in Uyo is the first game while the return takes place on the 4th in Yaounde.
