Onigbinde plans to upset hosts

Nigeria coach Festus Onigbinde is plotting the downfall of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team while reaping the benefits of English hospitality.

Nigeria, who were drawn alongside England, Argentina and Sweden in the World Cup’s obligatory ‘Group of Death’, clinched a 1-0 victory over Jamaica at Loftus Road last night - the Super Eagles’ second win on British soil in a World Cup warm-up match this year.

The UK has become somewhat of a home from home for Onigbinde’s men, who after recording a 1-1 draw against Paraguay at Loftus Road in March, defeated Scotland north of the border last month.

James Obiorah’s second-half goal proved enough to seal victory for Nigeria in the Super Eagles’ latest success on British soil.

And Onigbinde, who is set to name his final 23-man squad this morning, admitted he felt indebted to England for the hospitality shown every time they have played here.

‘‘We have virtually made the UK our base in preparation for the World Cup,’’ said Onigbinde, whose team take on England in the final Group F match on June 12 in Osaka.

‘‘Eyebrows were raised when we decided to bring the team here to play friendly matches and I am happy to say we’ve felt really at home here.

‘‘So far in our World Cup preparations this year we’ve played five, drawn one and won four and three of these games were played in UK.’’

Much has been made of Nigeria’s highly-documented chaotic World Cup preparations with the camp seemingly unsettled due to in-fighting and Onigbinde’s apparent indecisiveness over who to take to the Far East.

But Onigbinde is adamant that his team are well prepared and he is supremely confident that the Super Eagles can soar at the World Cup.

‘‘I sincerely hope we can carry this clean slate to the World Cup and continue it,’’ he said.

‘‘It has not been easy for the players but I believe they have coped well with the ad hoc preparations we’ve had.’’