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LEWANDOWSKI TEST IS ACID TEST FOR SUPER EAGLES, SAYS PETER RUFAI

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BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.

 

As the countdown begins for Nigeria’s clash later this month in what is the first of the six pre-World Cup friendly matches lined out for the Nigerian Super Eagles, former goalkeeper, Peter Rufai wishes that the Polish side will feature their iconic striker, Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski is a striker of Bundisliga side, Bayern Munich and is also the captain of the Poland national team.

Rufai, Nigeria’s first goalkeeper at the World Cup and one with a long tenure guiding Nigeria’s goal area told www.sportsvillagesquare.com that the World Cup-bound Super Eagles need such highly rated opposing players to tune for possible difficult challenges in June.

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He remarked that Lewandowski’s skills and work rate will help strengthen the experimental Nigerian goalkeepers’ confidence.

“Coach Gernot Rohr 23 man list is good enough to challenge any opponent. I am only concerned about the goalkeeping department of the game.

“It is glaring the Polish are blessed with fantastic strikers and top among them is Robert Lewandowski who knows how and when to face the goalkeepers.

“I wish he features against the Super Eagles because I see his presence as fostering  the kind of challenges Nigeria’s defence will face at Russia 2018 and also  capable of bringing out the best in our goalkeepers.

“During my days. I faced great challenges stopping the likes of Spanish legend, Raul Gonzales, Roberto Baggio of Italy, Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria and host of others.

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“I think those challenges made me a better goalkeeper and I see Lewandowski test to be a good one for the new goalkeepers

“I am also applauding the NFF for organizing a great friendly encounter with top European team like Poland, I hope the Super Eagles continue with their fantastic form”.

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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