By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Following the recent draw of the Egypt 2019 African Cup of Nations, former Super Eagles midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has cautioned the Super Eagles against underrating any of their Group B opponents.
Nigeria was pitched against Guinea and the debuting duo of Burundi and Madagascar, a group which analysts believe would be easy for the Eagles.
In spite of the position of pundits, Ekpo, a member of the bronze winning Super Eagles squad of Senegal ‘92 Nations Cup, says the Eagles cannot afford to go to sleep, as all the teams coming to Egypt are capable of springing a surprise.
“There is no “small country” going to Egypt. I want Nigerians to realise that there are no more minnows in African football. There won’t be any easy game in AFCON 2019. Anybody thinking that some countries would be easily taken to the cleaners should forget it,” Ekpo said.
Continuing, Ekpo said: “Nigerians should also understand that a country like Guinea is not a pushover in African football because they have produced great players in the past and their national team has character.”
Nigeria was pitched against Guinea and the debuting duo of Burundi and Madagascar, a group which analysts believe would be easy for the Eagles.
In spite of the position of pundits, Ekpo, a member of the bronze winning Super Eagles squad of Senegal ‘92 Nations Cup, says the Eagles cannot afford to go to sleep, as all the teams coming to Egypt are capable of springing a surprise.
“There is no “small country” going to Egypt. I want Nigerians to realise that there are no more minnows in African football. There won’t be any easy game in AFCON 2019. Anybody thinking that some countries would be easily taken to the cleaners should forget it,” Ekpo said.
Continuing, Ekpo said: “Nigerians should also understand that a country like Guinea is not a pushover in African football because they have produced great players in the past and their national team has character.”
“In the case of Burundi and Madagascar, who are coming to the continent for the first time, they will like to prove that they have something to offer and I even see Burundi, which stopped Gabon from qualifying to be a hard nut to crack. So, considering all these, I believe it won’t be an easy group for Nigeria.
“We should also not forget that these countries have some quality players, plying their trade abroad, who will like to showcase their talent and even frustrate the big teams and as such the Super Eagles must up their game and not underrate any of them but rather approach all the games with seriousness.”
Ekpo stated that the way Gernot Rohr handles his first game would go a long way to determine how things would pan out for the Eagles in the tournament.
“Eagles must avoid losing or drawing their first game in order not to throw the group open and subsequently play under unnecessary pressure. As far as I am concerned, if Nigeria fails to rise to the occasion from the onset, they will find things difficult. The Eagles must, therefore, prepare very well, avoid complacency and Rohr must take the best home and foreign-based players to Egypt,” concluded Ekpo, known as Zico, during his playing days.
“We should also not forget that these countries have some quality players, plying their trade abroad, who will like to showcase their talent and even frustrate the big teams and as such the Super Eagles must up their game and not underrate any of them but rather approach all the games with seriousness.”
Ekpo stated that the way Gernot Rohr handles his first game would go a long way to determine how things would pan out for the Eagles in the tournament.
“Eagles must avoid losing or drawing their first game in order not to throw the group open and subsequently play under unnecessary pressure. As far as I am concerned, if Nigeria fails to rise to the occasion from the onset, they will find things difficult. The Eagles must, therefore, prepare very well, avoid complacency and Rohr must take the best home and foreign-based players to Egypt,” concluded Ekpo, known as Zico, during his playing days.