Super
Eagles on Friday brushed aside concerns that they might be heading into
Sunday’s South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash
with Ivory Coast to be trampled to death by the Elephants to declare
they will knock out the Ivorians from the tournament.
Speaking to the media in Rustenburg ahead
of the encounter, coach Stephen Keshi, captain Joseph Yobo and
goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama insisted that the Ivorian side, boasting
Manchester City’s midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure, 2012 UEFA Champions
League winner Didier Drogba, Arsenal’s Gervinho and Newcastle’s Cheick
Tiote, were beatable.
“We have confidence, we know we are going to do something tangible in this tournament,” SuperSport quoted Keshi as saying.
“It is a shameful thing if Nigerians
don’t have confidence in their team. If they don’t have confidence in
their team, it’s a big shame to my nation, including me, that they think
it’s’ just a walkover for Ivory Coast.”
Yobo insisted that the Eagles were not scared of the Elephants, tipping Nigeria to go through.
“They (Elephants) lost in the final the last time, when they were the favourites,” the AP quoted Yobo as saying.
“Zambia are also out as the defending
champions. It’s not about the names, about individuals, it’s about
qualifying to the next stage. Not being the favourites doesn’t put us
under pressure. ”
Enyeama backed Mikel Obi and Yobo to give the opponents a tough time because of their big match experience.
“Ivory Coast have reached the end of the
road. We are going to attack them because we also want to make a name
for ourselves. The last time Nigeria won the title was in 1994, with our
current coach Keshi serving as captain.
“That’s a long time ago and its
unacceptable. We aren’t intimidated by the fact that opponents have
assembled a team of world-class players.”
PUNCH
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