Keshi charges Eagles to crush Zambia

Category: Sports Published on Wednesday, 23 January 2013 06:00

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has called on his players to immediately put behind them the unfortunate 1-1 draw they played against the Stallions of Burkina Faso and look ahead to the make or mar encounter against Zambia on Friday.

Addressing the players after the Burkinables came from behind to draw levels on the dot of added time to deny the Eagles a well deserved win, the coach said only a win against Zambia will atone for the slip against Burkina Faso.

He said “We threw away the game in the last minute but that is football, if you fail to take your chances you get punished. But I have absolute confidence that you are still the big team of the group and on Friday go out there and prove it against Zambia”, Keshi told the players moment after the encounter against the Burkinabe.

Skipper Joseph Yobo, said the team still has the belief to go all the way in the championship and will prove that in the game against Zambia.

“One slip on the way does not end the journey, we are determined to make Nigerians happy with this tournament”, he said. He praised the team spirit exhibited by the Eagles before the equalizer and urged Nigerians not to give up on the squad.

Midfield star, John Mikel Obi, says the Eagles were a bit naïve in the manner they approached the closing stages of the encounter.

Obi, who was named Man of The Match, said he preferred the three points to being so named and assured that the Eagles will be back and better in the game against Zambia on Friday.

There are already indications that Chelsea star, Victor Moses, who was rested by Head Coach Stephen Keshi because he was not 100 per cent fit, will play a role in the game against Zambia, as he has been passed fit by the Eagles medics. The Eagles returned to training yesterday afternoon to perfect strategies for the game against Zambia on Friday.

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