9th February, 2011
Following threats from their opponents, the Super Eagles say they would not underrate Sierra Leone in the friendly scheduled for today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.
Both countries will use today’s friendly game as part of their preparation ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Some invited home-based players, who spoke to P.M. Sports said they are going to approach the game with all seriousness from the blast of whistle till the end of the encounter
Wasiu Sowemimo of Kano Pillars confessed that the match will be keenly contested and called his teammates not to underrate their opponents in the encounter, which promises to be an explosive one.
“This is my first experience in Eagles and it is not going to be an easy match because the Sierra Leoneans are in Lagos for business. So we need to approach the match like a cup final,†said Sowemimo who is looking forward to playing for Nigeria.
Ahmed Musa,who recently left Kano Pillars for VVV Venlo Football Club of Holland, said it will be a disaster if the Eagles fail to live up to expectation, arguing that only an outright victory will satisfy the soccer loving Nigerians in the cracker.
“The era of underrating lowly rated football countries in Africa is gone. We are taking the friendly match serious and we want to make our Lagos fans happy by playing good football and win the match convincingly,†he said.
Also speaking, Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia said Sierra Leone are not push overs in continental football. But, he charged his team to remain focused and ensure that they give the Lagos fans value for their money in the match.
He disclosed that the game will also allow him to give new players chances to prove themselves and called on Nigerians to come out to cheer the Eagles to victory.
Captain of the team, Joseph Yobo said: “Sierra Leone game is not a do or die affair. We will try our best to make Lagos fans happy. I’m so glad that the home based and the professional players are rubbing shoulders to play for the country.
To Taye Taiwo, playing good football to the delight of the fans in Lagos is his priority, while Osase Odemwingie said: “Sierra Leone are a good side who we should not underrate at all. We must treat them with respect. Though this is a friendly game, we need to show Nigerians that the Eagles are back and better under Coach Samson Siasia.
—Sunday Akintoye
