Goal tender Vincent Enyeama has stated that African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, are good enough to reach the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Enyeama, who was outstanding at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he stopped Lionel Messi, is anticipating another clash with Messi in Brazil.

“I honestly think it’s a good draw. I can once again cross paths with players like Lionel Messi and many others. I know very little about teams like Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina. But what I do know is that Nigeria will try to get out of this group to reach the final phase. Then why not reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals and more? Everything is possible in football! I’m not afraid of any opponent,” the stand-in Nigeria skipper told the Lille official website.

Toronto FC striker Bright Dike told MTNFootball.com it a good draw for the Eagles but they will have to fight to progress beyond the group stage of the competition.

“We have got a good draw but we have to know that there are no easy games at the World Cup. It is one game after the other, one nation against another. We have to fight to earn our victories. My thinking first is to get out of the group stage after then we push harder to progress,” Dike said.

Turkey-based defender Godfrey Oboabona, however, tagged the group as a tough one because Iran and Bosnia are unknown quantities.

“Firstly, I thank God that we are counted among the teams at the World Cup. It is a tough group because it is tougher and dangerous playing against teams you know nothing about but with good preparation and God on our side, the group will be made easy for us,” the Rizespor defender told MTNFootball.com.

On his part, Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi made it clear that his team will not underrate any team in their World Cup group.

The African champions are pitched in the first round with Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran with their first match being on June 16 against Iran.

The former Mali and Togo coach has insisted that all the 32 teams at Brazil 2014 deserve their place and it will be a tough battle at the World Cup finals.

“I am not in the group that feels the draw was an easy one. That would be a mistake to make because all the 32 teams in the pot were worth their places and would be formidable to tackle in the finals,” Keshi said.

“There is no way we are going to look at any team and underrate them. They qualified just like we did, and no team would be coming determined to simply make up the number.”

The former Nigeria captain said it is always a thing of pride to be counted among the elite.

“We are happy to be here. To be among the 32 best teams in the world is a thing of joy, and our people back home, passionate football fans all, are excited,” he said.

“For me, winning always depends on how well you prepare. Even the weather that some people are already saying will favour the African teams against the European teams may not matter much when the competition starts.

“It is preparation that matters. I remember how, in 1994, we thrashed Bulgaria 3-0 in our very first match at the World Cup finals, and they went ahead to reach the semi finals while we lost out in the Round of 16.”

•Photo shows Vincent Enyeama.

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