Maigari: It’s final before final

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has described Sunday’s quarter final showdown between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Rustenburg, South Africa as the “final before final.”
The NFF supremo was gearing up the Nigeria squad ahead of the big duel, which headlines the weekend’s last eight pairings, with host South Africa as the only non-West African nation involved.
Nigeria won the Cup of Nations in 1980 and 1994 while Cote d’Ivoire lifted their only title after a marathon penalty shoot-out triumph over neighbours Ghana in Senegal in 1992.
Maigari told the Super Eagles: “The match you are playing on Sunday against the Ivorians is the ‘final before final’ of the championship, as you may have been reading in most of the pre-match previews, analyses and commentaries.
“So, you have to play it like you are playing the final match.
“Our country is one of the biggest and most respected football-playing nations of the world.
“At every opportunity, we must fully underscore this fact. We are a powerful nation on and off the field.”
Nigeria takes on Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday in one of the quarter final matches of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations, starting from 4pm Nigeria time at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Stadium in Rustenburg.
Maigari added: “I am very happy that there are no injuries in camp and also that Coach Stephen Keshi has assured there is capable replacement for Fegor Ogude, who is suspended for the match.”
Keshi said on Saturday that he expects his team to give its all and come out tops in what is being projected as a spectacle.