Former Nigeria international Julius Aghahowa has revealed why he will adopt the Teranga Lions of Senegal as his team among the five African countries at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Aghahowa disclosed this during the unveiling of Goldberg Premium Lager and Life Continental as the official beers of the Super Eagles.
The unveiling took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Other former Super Eagles stars who featured at the event alongside Aghahowa were Ifeanyi Udeze and Mutiu Adepoju.
Also present at the unveiling were top Nigerian Breweries and Nollywood actors like Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, Destiny Etiko and Mary Igwe.
The trio also analysed the performance of the Super Eagles at half time during the international friendly against Portugal.
And speaking to journalists at the event, Aghahowa explained why he will be backing Senegal ahead of Ghana, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia.
“We have the African champions and I will be going for Senegal but I know they don’t like me very much in Senegal because I did to them at AFCON 2000 and AFCON 2002 and they will not forget that.
“Despite that I will still support them because they worked very hard to become African champions and they will represent the continent very well.”
Aghahowa spoke about the effect the absence of the Super Eagles will have on Nigerian fans.
“It’s going to be a different ball game because Nigeria is not playing so the whole country will feel it the fans will be relax as well.
“Even the big brands have withdrawn from sponsorships, some of the broadcasting stations were suppose to travel to Qatar to represent their brands and also promote these companies as well. But at the end of the day we didn’t qualify and we all lost out.”
He also spoke about the inclusion of more home-based players in the Super Eagles.
He added:”ven if it’s one or two let them have their chance. I remember back in the days we had good players that came from the local league and impressed in the national team.
“We are the product of the Nigerian league, we came into the national team and proved ourselves. When you come like an underdog from the local league you have a point to prove and you want to impress not just yourself but the whole fans.
“But when you have the whole team coming from Europe they don’t really have that rough edges around them to withstand this African teams because in Africa it’s a different ball game. But I always have the believe in these players, their techniques there is no question about it but when it comes to Africa during the qualifiers you meet strong opponents, those who are ready to die for the game and we need to have that in the team.”
