Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is hopeful to eventually get him a call-up to the Super Eagles.

Johannesburg - There are too many critics complaining about Bafana Bafana who have never played professional soccer, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

"There are too many critics. I was telling the team that others who are critics who have never touched the football," Zuma said.
"They don't know how it feels to be inside here."

Zuma was speaking after a private meeting with the team in Orlando Stadium, Soweto, ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Flanked by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, Zuma said the players had to relax before their matches.

"We have come to tell the national team that they must relax. They must not be tense and they must not listen to all these critics," he said. "They must just play what they know."

He said the whole of South Africa was behind the team.

Zuma said he had asked to touch the AFCON trophy.

"I just wanted to touch it. Touching it means we should be there at the final and we should take it."

The president said South Africa did well in preparing for the tournament, considering it was meant to be held in Libya, and did not have a long time to plan for it.

He said he was satisfied that the team was ready for the tournament.

"If you know soccer, you have got to see whether all departments are working in the field," Zuma said.

"This is so that you have goals that are played (scored) scientifically."

When Zuma took to the field to pose with the team, the Bafana Bafana players greeted him with a rendition of his trademark song, "Awulethu Umshini Wami" [bring me my machine-gun].

He was also presented with a personalised team jersey

Half umlungu, half Nigerian??

@Bin Laden who is this corrupt Zuma dude commenting about football???maybe he should rather focus on marrying another chick or stealing more of our tax to build another home.

Carl, i ve not been watching championship football, but let me assure u that there is no hiding place for the elephant. If u are good, Keshi ll surely invite u. If he refuse, we the fans ll endear u to his heart. Keep working on urself, the sky ll be the starting point for u.

Futaa.com report that Nigeria trash a Potuguish second division side 5-0. Ike Uche scored a hat trick, and Mikel open score from the penalty box, while Emenike score the last goal. Impressive. What do u think?

Ike Uche’s hat-trick secures another victory for Nigeria

Nigeria’s Super Eagles completed their training tour in Portugal by recording a second straight victory in their warm up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with an impressive 5-0 win over Farense FC.


The coach Stephen Keshi led side last Saturday defeated Sparta Rotterdam 1-0 in another warm up match.

The lead

John Obi Mikel opened score in the 5th minute via penalty to put Nigeria ahead.

In the second half, Ike Uche grabbed a hat trick for Nigeria to ensure the team leave Portugal in a victorious mood, as the confidence of the team continue to improve.

As the game was heading to an end, Emmanuel Emenike, who scored the only goal against Rotterdam got another in the 89th minute.

On parade

Keshi paraded only Sunshine Stars defender Godfrey Oboabona as the Nigeria Premier League player in the starting line-up, and made at least seven changes in the course of the game.

The Super Eagles will Wednesday fly out of Portugal, and head to South Africa.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on Saturday, with Nigeria playing its first game on Monday against Burkina Faso.

Mr Ikeme , keep training Hard, You will get your chance

Jst pray hore enyeama get a lng term injury then u wil b cald in nigeria squad

I deliver that trophy in Jesus name of the touch of voodoo high priest.

Bin Laden, I deliver that trophy in Jesus name of the touch of voodoo high priest.