An Enugu-based football administrator, Ebere Amaraizu, on Monday urged the Super Eagles to avoid complacency and be focused when they face the Black Stars of Ghana on Tuesday in Abuja.
Amaraizu, a Director with the Nationwide League One (NLO), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that the Super Eagles must not toy with their chances of scoring early goals.
NAN reports that the Super Eagles will host the Black Stars in the second leg tie of their 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
“They have to score an early goal and stay focused to sustain that early lead in order to get the qualification ticket to Qatar 2022,” Amaraizu said.
He however warned that just as the first leg match of Friday, which ended goalless at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the second leg match would not be an easy game.
“The Super Eagles have to summon courage and gain the lead in the match on time by converting their opportunities.
“So, a scoreline of 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles will make the great difference.”
Amaraizu said he was not looking forward to seeing a lot of goals in the match since both teams were well prepared for the match.
“It will surely be a big match as both teams will give all it takes to win the match.”
However, he expressed the hope that the Super Eagles would play with their “12th man”.
“The overwhelming support of the home fans is very crucial in matches of this nature and it will in this case help the Eagles to carry the day and make us proud as Nigerians,” Amaraizu said.
He urged the national team not to forget that they need to make Nigerians smile after much support from all corners of the country.
“They have got support from the government, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), philanthropists and football fans in their millions and they need to reciprocate the support by impressing them all,” the football administrator said.
Amaraizu, however, warned the national team handlers to deploy sound technical and tactical strategies to ensure the team gets a win.
“We have all it takes —- quality players, age-long experience and the best technical crew —- to clinically win the match.
“All Nigerians are also looking forward to being part of the World Cup and we will not take anything less from the Super Eagles. So, the technical crew must do the needful,” he said.
NAN reports that victory will ensure Nigeria participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup “Qatar 2022” and billed for Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2022.
