Lagos – The Nigerian contingent to the ongoing 3rd Africa Cup of Nations Amputee Football competition in Ghana have pledged to win their opening match against Angola on Tuesday.

In separate telephone interview on Monday from Ghana, the players said that they were committed to doing the country proud at the competition.

The players, comprising 15 players and five officials who departed Nigeria by road for Ghana on Friday, said that in spite of the challenges that dogged their participation in the competition, they intended to give their best.

Michael Chimobi said that in spite of the team’s late departure for the competition, he was convinced that they would beat Angola in their first match.

“I was initially afraid that our late departure might affect us, particularly with the match fixtures, but luckily for us it favoured us as we had time to settle down.

“It wouldn’t have been funny, if we had to engage in a match on arrival but thank God, we have enough time to tidy up our training to face our opponents,’’ Chimobi said.

Another player, Babatunde Laide, said that their confidence was further boosted when the fixture pitted the team against Angola in their opening match.

“I was glad with the match fixtures because Nigeria had played with the Angola national team in a friendly match and beaten them 3-0.

“In as much as we are not underrating them, we know we will come out victorious,’’ Laide added.

The national coach, Gbenga Dosumu, told NAN that the fixture was a prayer answered because of the distance the contingent had to travel.

Dosumu noted that he had to stop the players from training in Nigeria three days before their departure on Friday so as to prevent them from sustaining injury.

“We resumed our training yesterday because the players have rested, settled down and are ready for the match; I am optimistic that we will win our matches by God’s grace,’’ he added.

The  championship will hold from Nov. 17 to Dec. 2. (NAN)