AGAINST the back drop of intense hype being generated by the two-legged 2017 Afcon qualifiers between the Super
Eagles and Pharaohs the match has generated a lot of interest among Nigerian football fans.
The accompanying mind games from both camps have no doubt, increased
the tension in Nigerians that some fans can’t wait to see the two African
soccer giants clash in Kaduna.
But Nigeria captain, Ahmed Musa has been quick to douse tension and has
declared that Nigeria do not have any reasons to be afraid going into two
AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt as the target remains to win the games.
Nigeria will host Egypt on March 25 in Kaduna with the return leg in Alexandria
four days later in qualifying matches that could well determine the overall winners of the group.
Egypt are top of the qualifying group with six points from two matches, two points more than Nigeria, with only the
group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to Gabon 2017.
The build-up to these matches has been noisy with both teams bullish of their chances and CSKA Moscow star forward Ahmed Musa has now restated
his belief Nigeria will triumph over the seven-time African champions.
“I am calling on Nigerians and football fans to support us and keep praying for us as we will make the nation proud
with victories over Egypt,” Musa told AfricanFootball.com
“We are not afraid of Egypt. Why should we?
“We have top quality players who will do Nigeria and Nigerians proud in both games. There is no reason to panic
or fear Egypt, instead they should be the ones who should be afraid of us.”
Meanwhile, chairman of the NFF technical committee, Chris Green has called for respect for the Egyptians.
Egypt coach Hector Cuper recently announced the 25-man squad that is set to face the Super Green Eagles in the two-
legged African qualifiers on the 25th and 29th of March.
Green has also called Nigeria to turn their attention to the Pharaohs as a whole not just one player in the person of
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
“Elneny is just one player in the pack of 11 and so I don't think we need to worry about one player,” Green told
Africa’s pioneer sports radio station Brilla FM.
“We need to worry about [Egypt’s whole] team, we must respect the Egyptians because they have a difficult team.
But at the same time we are playing at home, we should be able to go forward at home,” he concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment