Former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Samson Siasia, has expressed fears that the psychological edge by the Red Devils of Congo might put the Stephen Keshi-led Eagles under severe pressure.
Siasia argued that the victory in Calabar, Cross River State would certainly give the Devil the confidence needed to prosecute the game, warning that losing the game is equal to missing the ticket.
Asked the edge the Devils would have over Eagles, Siasia said: “One thing they will have over Eagles is the confidence because of the table standing and victory over Eagles in Calabar.
“They have psychological edge over the Super Eagles even though they know the difficulty involved in playing Nigeria team.
“The players must forget the big name that comes with Nigeria.”
On the advice he would give to the Eagles, Siasia said: “They must wake up to the realities that they must go for an outright victory in Congo otherwise the dream of playing in the Nations Cup should be over.
“If Congo came here to win, nothing stops us from going there to win as wells.
“This is the time for them to put up winning mentality.
“They must ensure that they give their best in Congo where only victory is good enough.
“I don’t want to see playing on artificial turf as any excuse because both teams will use the same pitch.
“It is going to be a tough task for them but they must surmount the odds and pick
the three points.”
On what is the strength of the Nigeria team, Siasia quipped: “We all know that on paper and even skill for skill, the Eagles should have edge over Congo but it now depends on the mentality of the players to prosecute the game.
“There must be determination and unity of purpose.
“They have to create the chances and score the goals.
“They have to know that they must defend and attack the same way.”