| credits: MTNFootbal
Ex-internationals Benedict Akwuegbu and Bolaji Douglas have warned African champions Super Eagles not to underestimate Congo in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Calabar on Saturday.
It is the Eagles’ first match since they crashed out of the Brazil 2014 World Cup in the round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to former world champions France in Brasilia.
Former Eagles striker Akwuegbu insists the crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation won’t affect the team, saying Nigerian teams have “performed best under crisis situations”.
Akwuegbu, who played for Nigeria at U-17, U-20, U-23 and senior levels, expressed optimism that the Eagles would triumph in Calabar, where they have not lost any match.
He said, “Nigeria will win; there is no doubt about that. And I don’t think whatever is happening now will affect the players.
“The majority of the players are coming from Europe and they want to play for the nation. But what is happening in our football now is sad. They should try to settle everything fast; it’s not good for our football but I’m optimistic that the Eagles will triumph over Congo.”
However, Akwuegbu, who plied his trade in Africa, Europe and Asia, urged the Eagles to take the encounter seriously to avoid an upset.
Former Eagles defender Douglas said the Eagles must give their best in the game, warning the team not to underrate the Congolese. However, the former BCC Lions captain expressed concern over players in the team who have yet to settle down in their clubs after the World Cup in Brazil.
The United Kingdom based engineer said, “We always have the home advantage, but my worry is that the season is just starting and a number of the players we took to the World Cup are either trying to sort themselves out club wise or struggling to nail down a starting position. We have lost momentum in that area.
“My only hope is that being a home match, we will have enough to motivate the boys. But they will have to give their best because the Congolese are always difficult to beat.”
Stephen Keshi’s contract has not been renewed by the Nigeria Football Federation but the coach will take charge of the squad against Congo and then the next game against South Africa’s Bafana four days later, on an interim basis.
Bolaji said the absence of a permanent coach won’t affect the team.
“The issue of an interim coach would not really be a factor. The real factor here is the preparedness of the team, because we will be seeing new faces, something we always struggle to do with the integration of new players,” he said.
Douglas added, “I heard Vincent Enyeama has withdrawn. If it is true, then I am worried because he has proven to be a genuis at the back. (Austin) Ejide is next in line, but they are two different prospects. With no disrespect to Ejide, Vincent is on a higher level and his absence would always create panic,” Douglas said.
“I don’t like the situation we are in, going into this match but I hope the boys have the character to rise above the charade that has descended upon our football governing body. The fans deserve better and the boys deserve the opportunity to be able to play without the distraction.”
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