Stephen Keshi commiserated with families and friends of the
21 victim who lost their lives in the explosion that occured at
a football screening venue in Damaturu, capital of Yobe
State, AP reports.
Fans were watching a World Cup Brazil-Mexico match on June
17, the day after the 0-0 draw between Nigeria's Super
Eagles and Iran's national team.
Speaking on Friday at a press conference held at Cuiabá's
Arena Pantanal (the capital city of the Brazilian state of Mato
Grosso), Keshi said:
"It's not a pleasant thing, seeing people dying for no reason.
It was like a double jeopardy - after our game most Nigerians
weren't very happy we had a tie against Iran, then the bomb
blast wasn't pleasant at all.
"It's very tough for Nigerians, our heart goes out to them and
we will do everything possible to ensure we can put a smile
on their faces tomorrow."
Captain of the Super Eagles, Norwich City defender currently
on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, Joseph Yobo also voiced
his condemn of the attack and hoped Super Eagles could
cheer Nigerians up a bit:
"We are very sad about the news. We understand the
situation. I think without the fans football wouldn't be
enjoyable.
"Players understand why we''e here at the World Cup, to win
games, and then hopefully everyone will be happy. All we
can try and do is perform well for our country."
Nigeria plays their next Group F game against Bosnia in
Cuiaba on Saturday. Previously, the team's media officer Ben
Alaiya has said the players were obviously saddened by the
attack and had vowed to do their best.
Although police have put the death toll of Tuesday's incident
at 14, medical sources report there were at least 21 deaths.
Nigeria's police warned fans against going to public venues
showing matches.
This is not the first terror attack on football viewing centers, as
in late May, a bomb went off a venue in Jos, capital of
Plateau State. The police said three persons, including the
bomber, died.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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