Super Eagles players and officials have put the 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso behind them and are looking forward to the potential group decider against defending champions, Zambia, on Friday with Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, saying only a win will do.
Keshi told the players moments after the encounter with the Burkanabes: “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.”
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.
Yobo said: “One slip on the way does not end the journey.
“We are determined to make Nigerians happy with this tournament.”
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, said 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 Nigerians 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 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 on Tuesday afternoon to perfect strategies for the game against Zambia on Friday.
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