.Addis Ababa Pitch Too Hard, Says Keshi

Newcastle of England striker, Shola Ameobi, clocked 32 years on Saturday and used the occasion to plead with his teammates for goals in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

Though, the happy birthday song was sang for him at dinner time, he still said he will only pomp champagne after the game on Sunday when the Super Eagles would have won the match comfortably.

“My birthday wish is that we win and win well on Sunday so that I can now throw a party”, he said during dinner on Saturday.

Thousands of Ethiopian fans cheered the Nigerian side during their training session on Saturday with Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi and Liverpool’s Victor Moses receiving the most attention.

After the session, Head Coach Stephen Keshi said though, he has a lot of respect for the Ethiopians and he expects his wards to acquit themselves well against the hosts.

Keshi also pleaded with the hosts to water the pitch for Sunday’s match so as to make the playing surface soft as it was presently too hard for good football to flow.

“We are pleading for the pitch to be watered so as to save our players from injuries and for the fans to watch good football”, he said after the training session.