13th November, 2014
Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has warned his players to be ready for the worst as they play away from home against the Red Devils of Congo in Pointe Noire on Saturday.
He said that the situation the Eagles find themselves has made it compulsory for the team to beat their Congolese foes in weekend’s game, adding that they must be fully focused going for the two remaining matches of the on-going African Nations Cup qualifying series.
Keshi insists he expects a tough battle in Pointe Noire, Congo and another titanic battle when the Bafana Bafana arrive Uyo for the last game of the series.
The Big Boss said his experience of the Congolese tells him that they may be very hostile to the team in various ways, starting from the reception at the airport, the hotel and even on the pitch.
“I have already conditioned the mind of the players that Congo will be very tough because they also want to be at the Nations Cup.
“I have told them that this is Africa and so they must drop every European mentality and be ready for the worst.
“I hope to have a good game because from what I have seen in training, if the players keep the momentum, I am optimistic that we will get the desired result.
“I have observed that the players are ready to give it their all and I pray they remain in the same spirit,” Keshi said.
The coach who said he is back to coach the Eagles on the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan, noted that he is ready to do whatever he can do to ensure that he doesn’t disappoint the President.
Meanwhile, returnee Ikechukwu Uche has said that he is back to the Eagles for good, adding that as a professional he sees the battle against Congo on Saturday as a call to duty which the team must face with determination to win.
“I’m glad to be back to the team. We have an important game against Congo and this must be everybody’s concern until we succeed in securing the AFCON ticket,” he said.