Saturday 18 January 2014

CHAN 2014: Super Eagles can stop Bafana Bafana---Siasia

ERSTWHILE coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia believes Nigeria have what it takes to beat hosts, South Africa in Sunday's last group A match of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) billed for the Cape Town Stadium.
Siasia noted that the performance of the Stephen Keshi-piloted side in the last game which brought the team back in contention for the quarter-final ticket after a 4-2 win over the Mambas of Mozambique has rekindled the never-say-die spirit of a Nigerian team.
The man who coached Nigeria to win the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics said that the only way to conquer Bafana Bafana in front of their teeming fans is for the Eagles to ensure total concentration.
"Yes, the boys did well against Mozambique but they need to raise their game on Sunday to beat South Africa to qualify because it a must win for us. They must not lose concentration come what may. The South Africans will no doubt enjoy home support but if our players can go out to raise their game and guard against any silly mistake, we will definitely win," said the former Nigeria's forward.
He noted that the Eagles must improve in goalkeeping as well saying that the goalkeeper (Chigozie Agbim) must be made to realise and correct his follies in the last two games before the crucial game against the hosts.
"It is going to be a final of sorts because as hosts, South Africa will not want to end the competition this way and we have to show our worth too on the continent," said the man who coached the Flying Eagles to win the silver at 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland.
Meanwhile, Keshi has equally warned his wards to be up and doing if they want to beat South Africa.
He noted that the presence of the three players from Bafana Bafana could spell a doom for the
Nigerian team on Sunday.
“South Africa is a very good team. (Itumeleng) Khune, (Siphiwe) Tshabalala and (Bernard) Parker
are very experienced players who can change the game at any moment,” said the 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON) winning coach.
Nigeria with three points after 1-2 loss to Mali in the opening game need a win on Sunday to move to the knockout stage of the competition while South Africa with four points from two games need a draw to advance.
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Caption: Striker Gbolahan Salami, who scored Nigeria's only goal in the 1-2 loss to Mali in the opening game.




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