NFF president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has declared that the Super Eagles team should go all out to secure victory against the Elephants of Cote d ‘Ivoire in weekend’s CHAN qualifiers in Abidjan.
He noted that if this is done, it would mean that the home-based Eagles would grab a total six points from the two encounters home and away.
The Eagles are in Abidjan for the second leg with a 4-1 advantage secured in the first leg played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
Maigari charged the boys to go and conquer, and forget whatever antics the Ivorians have up their sleeves.
“You should be pre-occupied with your own strategies and tactics to conquer, and not bother your heads about what pranks the opponents would play.
“It is also important to approach the match as if you have no advantage from the first leg here in Nigeria. If you start thinking that you have a handsome credit, that would be a poor approach and the Ivorians will gain strength from that.
“The NFF believes in you and this is why we have given Coach Stephen Keshi all the support in his rebuilding plan, which has involved giving the home boys equal opportunities in the main team, alongside the overseas-based professionals.”
Maigari insisted that a professional approach to the game would be key to delivering the ticket that would see Nigeria playing in the African Nations Championship for the first time.
“Go in there with the mentality of a winning team and you would get the ticket. Nigerians are looking forward to your coming back with the ticket that will set the tone for another triumph for our country in South Africa early next year,” said the NFF President.
Saturday’s clash at the fabled Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the heart of Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial and economic capital will start at 3.30pm Ivorian team (4.30pm Nigeria time).
