Nigeria Football Federation, NFF officials are not taking lightly, threats by their Kenyan counterparts to frustrate the Super Eagles when they arrive Nairobi for the crucial 2014 World Cup qualification match against the Harambee Stars.
During the first leg encounter in March, the Kenyan delegation accused the NFF of deliberately putting them under stressful conditions and they have threatened to do the same on June 5 when the Eagles fly into Nairobi to rescue their dwindling World Cup hopes.
“We don’t expect the Kenyans to put any obstacles on our way. But we are not taking any chances. We are in touch with the Nigerian High Commissioner and we can handle any kind of eventuality,” said Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF assistant secretary general (technical).
He said that the NFF and the entire team are fully aware of the importance of the the game and as such the coaches are psyching up their players.
“Our players are professionals and they will be able to keep their cool no matter the psychological warfare.
“If Kenya can come here and score we will also do the same in Nairobi. This is football and anything can happen.
“As a federation, we are doing everything we need to do. And this goes for the coaches and players too. We expect nothing short of a win,” he said.
The Eagles suffering from Nations Cup hangover rallied to rescue a point in Calabar after the Harambee Stars went ahead. Nigeria, tied on points with Malawi, must win to have a realistic chance of reaching the 2014 World Cup. Kenya are bottom placed, a win will give them a mathematical chance of advancing depending on the other game between third placed Namibia and Malawi on June 6.
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“We don’t expect the Kenyans to put any obstacles on our way. But we are not taking any chances. We are in touch with the Nigerian High Commissioner and we can handle any kind of eventuality,” said Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF assistant secretary general (technical).
He said that the NFF and the entire team are fully aware of the importance of the the game and as such the coaches are psyching up their players.
“Our players are professionals and they will be able to keep their cool no matter the psychological warfare.
“If Kenya can come here and score we will also do the same in Nairobi. This is football and anything can happen.
“As a federation, we are doing everything we need to do. And this goes for the coaches and players too. We expect nothing short of a win,” he said.
The Eagles suffering from Nations Cup hangover rallied to rescue a point in Calabar after the Harambee Stars went ahead. Nigeria, tied on points with Malawi, must win to have a realistic chance of reaching the 2014 World Cup. Kenya are bottom placed, a win will give them a mathematical chance of advancing depending on the other game between third placed Namibia and Malawi on June 6.
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