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We’ll
be ready for South Africa …Nsofor, Anichebe,
Odemwingie say they won’t underrate Bafana Bafana
By Sun Publishing
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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Sani Kaita with Argentina defender
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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Nigeria’s Olympic soccer team believe the only thing
that could break the Super Eagles against Bafana Bafana of
South Africa would be their disrespect for the 2010 World
Cup hosts in Port Elizabeth next month.
Bafana host Nigeria in the return leg of the 2010 World Cup/Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier on September 6.
The match is a make-or-break for the South Africans as their
chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece in Angola
are hanging on a thread.
Nigeria defeated a somewhat befuddled Bafana 2–0 in
the first leg in Abuja in June.
While Nigeria’s display on that day made them bookies’
favourites to prevail in Port Elizabeth, some of their players
believe Bafana can upset the applecart at home.
This thoughtful forewarning was made by Obinna Nsofor, Victor
Anichebe and Peter Odemwingie, who were in the Nigerian Under-23
squad that reached the final of the Beijing Olympics.
“It will be dangerous for us not to respect Bafana because
of our past results against them. I have played against them
and I know their potentialities,” said Anichebe, who
plays with Steven Pienaar at English Premiership club, Everton.
“But I got news from England that Pienaar will miss
the match because of injury and this should be good news for
Nigeria because this guy can be a problem.
“We need to be tight in all positions and not allow
them to do as they please,” added Odemwingie, who plays
in Russia.
Nigeria top Group 4 with a 100 per cent record in four matches.
South Africa and Sierra Leone both have four points. Bafana
are second because of goal advantage. Equatorial Guinea are
bottom on three.
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