Captain Mikel John Obi said on Sunday that a united and focused Super Eagles, and a supportive Nigeria Football Federation, will guarantee the two –time African champions a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Chelsea midfield ace said aboard the ARIK Air plane on the flight back from Ndola that team solidarity and the maturity of the technical crew have forged a new spirit in camp, and that the victory over Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Sunday that has propelled the Super Eagles to the top of the so –called ‘Group of Death’ is the beginning of great things to come.

mikel Obi

“I have belief that we can reach new heights with this team. The boys are so committed that it makes you happy. The coaching crew is made up of very matured and brilliant people who respect the players. We are onto a good thing.”

Nigeria won a competitive away game for the first time in 23 months as Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho scored before Collins Mbesuma pulled one back in the Zambian Copperbelt capital. Manchester City of England prodigy Iheanacho has now scored in each of his last four matches for Nigeria: against Mali in France; Luxembourg in Luxembourg City; Tanzania in Uyo and; Zambia in Ndola.

A convivial atmosphere prevailed inside the aircraft during the 4 hour-and-22-minute flight back to Abuja, and the celebration mood heightened seconds after landing as players, team officials and other officials learnt that Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions had forced Algeria to a 1-1 draw in the other match of Group B.