CHAN: Elephants warn Eagles

Ivory Coast coach Norbert Saraka
Source: punchng.com

Ivory Coast coach Norbert Saraka insists the battle for the ticket to the 2014 CHAN in South Africa  is not over yet, warning the Super Eagles not to play a defensive game in their return leg qualifier in Abidjan on Saturday.

Nigeria defeated the Elephants 4-1 in the first leg  in Kaduna on July 6 and will seal their place in the tournament , exclusively for players plying their trade in their countries,  if they pick up a draw or avoid defeat by more than three goals  in the reverse fixture.

Saraka, who lamented the Kaduna defeat, said his team would fire on all cylinders in today’s encounter.

“I’m very sure the Nigerian team will opt for a defensive outing to conserve their lead as much as possible,” Goal quoted Saraka as telling reporters in Abidjan during the week.

“But in that case we’ll try our best to maintain a flowing attack to split up their back half for breaches and holes.

“But I must admit that it is going to be a tough game for us. Scoring three goals without conceding any is no joke but in football everything is possible. The good thing is that spirits are very high within my outfit ahead of the clash and we’re confident of a favourable outcome.”

But Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said his team were ready for the challenge and promised to return home with a ticket to the South Africa finals.

The former Eagles captain said, “I think they (team) are ready. I can feel it and see it on their faces. They want to do something to make themselves proud and to make Nigeria proud. I can also vouch for the players that they are ready for the task.”

Keshi will rely on Sunday Mba, who scored a brace in the first leg, for goals, as well as Godfrey Oboabona in the defence.