9th October, 2012
As the countdown to the 13 October Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Liberia’s Lone Star heightens, former Eagles’ coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has warned the Nigerian side not to see the make or mar match as a stroll in the park.
Reports have it that the Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is motivating the national team with a $150,000 US Dollars (N23.7m) if they beat the Eagles or secure a draw in Calabar.
Also, the Lone Star Mobilisation Committee, a body set up to mobilise funds for the team ahead of the second leg tie against the Super Eagles has also promised the team $150,000 (N23.7m) should the team record a win or a draw against the Eagles. The Liberian team are also taking on Niger in an international friendly match today to prepare for the crucial qualifier on Saturday.
However, Onigbinde charged the Eagles not to give room for complacency, warning that the Lone Star may cause an upset in Calabar.
“The Eagles must be focused and approach the match with seriousness because no team can be underrated. They must realise the fact that the match is important and they should not just assume that they will beat Liberia because they are playing at home,” warned Oniginde.
The former coach of the IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan said further that the Eagles should not allow the two away goals that they scored in Moronvia get into their heads; rather they should be ready to go for their opponents’ jugular in Calabar.
He added: “As a coach, I don’t subscribe to the idea that any game is easy whether the game is played at home or away. People must realise that because you beat a team last week does not mean you will beat the team again this week.”
Meanwhile, forward, Brendan Ogbu told SuperSport.com that he will be on his knees praying for a Super Eagles’ victory against the Lone Star of Liberia on Saturday in Calabar.
Ogbu did not make the home based team selected by Stephen Keshi for the match. Ogbu said he did not feel bad over the decision of the coaches to drop him from the encounter.
“I didn’t feel bad at all more so as those retained were mostly defenders. I enjoyed the few days I stayed in camp, in fact, the coaches made us to feel very much at home. We knew that all of us can’t play or be selected at the same time, so life goes on.
“Perhaps some other day the selection would tilt more towards the forwards and less on defenders.
“It’s not that we’re bad or couldn’t fit into the game’s programme. What’s important to me is the team’s victory on Saturday and not who was is picked or dropped,” he said.
—BIMBO AJAYI