Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh says paramount before him now would be to ensure Nigeria pick three points in today’s African Nations Championship group opener against the Mena of Niger Republic at the Kigali Regional Stadium.
The former Nigeria captain maintained that he is not prepared to share the spoils with Niger Republic, adding that he and his back room staff have been able to knock the players into top shape after two weeks of intensive training in Pretoria.
He however expressed caution ahead of the game, telling his players never to approach the Nigeriens with kid gloves.
According to him, gone are the days when big names determine where the pendulum of victory swings in football matches and that the introduction of CHAN by CAF has eroded the inferiority complex problem among African players.
Oliseh urged his players not to get carried away by their 2-0 win over Niger in an international friendly in Port Harcourt in 2015, rather the Home Eagles must dig deeper to continue the tide even though most of the players that prosecuted the Port Harcourt game were foreign-based players.
“We are ready for our game against Niger,” Oliseh said during his pre-match press conference yesterday in Kigali. “As you can see every player in my team is match fit and ready to give their very best in this tournament.
“We have put in adequate preparations and we have been very lucky with injuries too. Let Nigerians continue to support the Super Eagles and we will deliver by the special grace of God.”