Eagles aim to soar in Tartan test, insists Elderson

MONACO defender Elderson last night insisted he and every one of his Nigerian team-mates will be playing for World Cup glory when they meet Scotland in London on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles have this week’s friendly against Gordon Strachan’s side and a Philadelphia date with Greece before the action starts in Brazil against Iran.

With Bosnia and Herzegovina and Argentina standing between his side and the knockout stage, Elderson believes the meeting with Scotland in no way resembles a nothing game.

The 26-year-old signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Monaco in January, following spells with Braga and Rennes and is now bidding to add an international garnish to a successful club career.

He featured in two of the group matches in South Africa 2010, against Greece and South Korea and now, after 37 caps, this is his time.

‘We have a favourable draw in the Finals, the conditions will hold no fears for our players, so really we have a big chance to make an impact,’ he said.

‘That is why the warm-up games are so important, there is great competition amongst our group and this is a chance for all of us to prove to the coach that we are players in form.

‘Our team has never been so ready for a big challenge, the coach has been in place for three years and we have become a squad that is more like a club.’

Stephen Keshi has the complete respect of his players, becoming the only Nigerian to win the African Cup of Nations, both as a player and a coach, when they defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in last year’s Final.

Previously manager of Togo and Mali, he played with Lokeren and Anderlecht, before going into management 10 years ago. Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor believes, under Keshi’s guidance, Nigeria will be the African nation to make the biggest impact on this summer’s tournament.

And Elderson admitted the Super Eagles can’t wait to kick off their summer against Strachan’s men.

‘He (Keshi) believes the game against Scotland is the ideal match, they are a team that are improving fast,’ added Elderson.

‘The game will not fulfil its purpose for us if it is not competitive.’