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Super Eagles fired up for crucial Greece match

NIGERIA are still confident about their chances of qualifying for the second round of the 2010 Fifa World Cup despite going down 1-0 to Argentina.

NIGERIA are still confident about their chances of qualifying for the second round of the 2010 Fifa World Cup despite going down 1-0 to Argentina.

The Super Eagles need to beat Greece in their second match of the tournament at Free State Stadium in Mangaung on Thursday at 4pm.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama said: "Argentina caught us by surprise with an early goal (by Gabriel Heinze in the sixth minute).

"We thought we would equalise and get a winning goal or two later in the game because we still had time to play when they scored."

While admitting that they were facing "one of the greatest teams in the world", Enyeama said Nigeria were unlucky not to win.

"But we are still confident of getting through to the second round".

"The game against Greece will be a tough one but there is no way we will lose, getting a point will not be good enough after South Korea beat Greece 2-0 in the other game. We want to assure the Nigerians that we are still aiming high in this tournament, we really want to do well," said the Israel-based Enyeama.

Asked how he felt to win the man of the match award in the game against the Lionel Messi-led Argentina at Ellis Park on Saturday, Enyeama said: "Very good, especially considering we were playing against one of the top teams in the world. I'm motivated going into our second match."

Enyeama made dozens of top-drawer saves, holding off Messi and Carlos Tevez.

His sentiments were echoed by Steven Pienaar's teammate at Everton in England, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

"We tried our utmost best, at least we deserved a point," he said. "The focus is now on the next game against Greece where we need a comprehensive win. It won't be easy because they lost to Korea in their first game."

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